Semen analysis

Semen volume

Normal:

1.0–6.5 milliliters (mL) per ejaculation

Abnormal:

An abnormally low or high semen volume is present, which may sometimes cause fertility problems.

Liquefaction time

Normal:

Less than 60 minutes

Abnormal:

An abnormally long liquefaction time is present, which may indicate an infection.

Sperm count

Normal:

20–150 million sperm per milliliter (mL)

0 sperm per milliliter if the man has had a vasectomy

Abnormal:

A very low sperm count is present, which may indicate infertility. However, a low sperm count does not always mean that a man cannot father a child. Men with sperm counts below 1 million have fathered children.

Sperm shape (morphology)

Normal:

At least 70% of the sperm have normal shape and structure.

Abnormal:

Sperm can be abnormal in several ways, such as having two heads or two tails, a short tail, a tiny head (pinhead), or a round (rather than oval) head. Abnormal sperm may be unable to move normally or to penetrate an egg. Some abnormal sperm are usually found in every normal semen sample. However, a high percentage of abnormal sperm may make it more difficult for a man to father a child.

Sperm movement (motility)

Normal:

At least 60% of the sperm show normal forward movement.

At least 8 million sperm per milliliter (mL) show normal forward movement.

Abnormal:

Sperm must be able to move forward (or "swim") through cervical mucus to reach an egg. A high percentage of sperm that cannot swim properly may impair a man's ability to father a child.

Semen pH

Normal:

Semen pH of 7.1–8.0

Abnormal:

An abnormally high or low semen pH can kill sperm or affect their ability to move or to penetrate an egg.

White blood cells

Normal:

No white blood cells or bacteria are detected.

Abnormal:

Bacteria or a large number of white blood cells are present, which may indicate an infection.

Fructose level

Normal:

300 milligrams (mg) of fructose per 100 milliliters (mL) of ejaculate

Abnormal:

The absence of fructose in the semen may indicate that the man was born without seminal vesicles or has blockage of the seminal vesicles