Spermogram and Other Sperm tests

Spermogram (Semen Analysis)

Semen analysis is performed in accordance with the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Semen analysis provides information about semen physical properties, semen motility, morphology and function tests.

During the full sperm examination (spermogram) the physical properties of the sperm are defined, its morphology, sperm concentration and its mobility are all evaluated and different functional tests are conducted:

• The percent of non-mobile sperms which are viable, but inactive is defined during the vitality test;
• The possible immune infertility is defined during the immune test;
• The number of spermogenous cells and white blood cells are defined;
• Sperm agglutination is defined.

During the morphology evaluation the percentage of the sperm with the correct structure and the quantity of the sperm with changed structure forms (pathology of head, neck and tail of the sperm) are defined.

A short examination of the sperm is carried out just in case it is necessary to know how sperm indicators are changed after treatment etc.

Sperm Genetic Test for Sperm Maturity

Hyaluronan binding assay (HBA) – an analysis based on the sperm-hyaluronan-binding assay (HA).

The sperm-hyaluronan-binding assay is:

• a fast and unbiased sperm assessment;
• a reliable test of spermatozoa maturity and DNA integrity;
• determines the expedience of the PICSI procedure.

Hyaluronan binding assay plays an important role in the investigation of causes of male infertility. Only mature spermatozoa with developed receptors for hyaluronan acid can bind to the plate coated with the material. The binding reaction shows the proportion of mature spermotozoa in the sample (HBA %).

AB has been proven to be a valuable analysis which shows spermotozoa ability to fertilize the oocytes and helps to select sperm samples for the Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection procedure (PICSI).

HBA helps to significantly reduce Pregnancy Loss Rates.

A combination of the diagnostic abilities of HBA and HA-sperm selection using the PICSI technique has proven to improve Clinical Pregnancy Rates. Pregnancy Loss Rate in patients diagnosed with low HBA scores (≤65% binding ratio) has significantly decreased.

A Postcoital Test (PCT)

A Postcoital Test (PCT) is performed several hours after the intercourse. This test is used to examine the motility of spermatozoa in natural medium and female antigen antibody reaction. The test is performed in the cases of immunological infertility (immunologic incompatibility).