Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about male factor infertility. And you can find written notes on this topic at

zero to finals.com slash male infertility or in the fertility section of the zero to finals obstetrics and gynecology book.

So let's get straight into it.

Semen analysis is used to examine the quantity and the quality of semen and sperm.

It assesses for male factor infertility.

Let's talk about providing a sample for semen analysis.

Men should be given clear instructions for providing a sample,

and these may vary depending on the lab.

They need to abstain from ejaculation for at least three days and at most seven days.

Avoid hot baths, saunas and tight underwear during the lead-up to providing the sample.

Attempt to catch the full sample, deliver the sample to the lab within one hour of ejaculation

and keep the sample warm, for example, keeping it in their

underwear before it's delivered. Next let's talk about the factors that can affect

semen analysis and the sperm quality and quantity. There are several lifestyle factors that

may affect the results of semen analysis and the quality and quantity

of the sperm. These include hot baths, tight underwear, smoking, alcohol, a raised BMI or body mass

index, and caffeine. A repeat sample is indicated after three months in borderline results, or earlier, for example, after two to four weeks, for very abnormal results.

So let's go through interpreting the results of a semen analysis test.

The normal results indicated by the World Health Organization are a semen volume of more than 1.5

milliliters, a semen pH of greater than 7.2, a concentration of sperm of more than 15 million per milliliter,

a total number of sperm in the sample of more than 39 million, more than 40%

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