Semen analysis is basically a lab test where the sperm in the semen sample is studied in detail.

The andrology technician places the sample under a microscope and runs a set of checks that together paint a clear picture of the man’s fertility. Most labs today follow the WHO 2021 reference values, which are far more practical than the older numbers everyone was using a decade back.

Almost every fertility treatment, whether it’s intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF, or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), starts only after this report is in. It’s also usually the very first test a couple goes through when they begin their fertility journey.

If a couple has been trying naturally for over a year and nothing’s happening, the man’s side needs to be checked just as seriously as the woman’s. A semen analysis quickly tells whether the sperm is capable of fertilizing an egg or whether there’s something off that needs medical attention.

Most of the time, this test runs in parallel with the female workup, so both partners get answers around the same week. It saves months of back-and-forth and lets the doctor move forward without wasting valuable cycles.

Here are the main things a semen report looks into:

1. Sperm count: The total sperm per millilitre of semen. Low count is one of the biggest reasons behind male infertility and often the first red flag on a report.
2. Sperm motility: How well the sperm actually swim. Slow or sluggish sperm can struggle to reach the egg even when the count looks fine.

3. Sperm morphology: The shape and structure of the sperm. A sperm with a deformed head or tail can rarely break into the egg, no matter how many are there.
4. Semen volume: The amount released per ejaculation. Very low volume can point to a blockage or a hormone issue.
5. Liquefaction time: Semen is thick at first and should turn watery within 20–30 minutes. If it doesn’t, the sperm find it harder to move forward.
6. Fructose level: This is the sugar that fuels the sperm. If it’s missing or too low, something’s off with the seminal vesicles.
7. pH value: Semen sits on the slightly alkaline side. Too acidic or too alkaline, and sperm survival drops sharply.

Based on where the issue lies, the fertility expert then decides the right line of treatment, not a generic one-size plan.

A lot of mild cases don’t even need advanced treatment. Quitting smoking, cutting alcohol, managing stress, regular workout, and keeping weight in check can lift sperm quality within three to six months.

• • Diet also plays a bigger role than most men realise. Foods loaded with antioxidants, zinc, folate, and omega-3 directly help sperm production, and your fertility doctor will usually add the right supplements if needed.
  • When the issue is deeper, like very low count, poor motility, or bad morphology, that’s where IUI, IVF, and ICSI come in. IUI works for mild cases. IVF and ICSI handle moderate to severe ones. For men with almost no sperm in the sample or azoospermia, techniques like microfluidics sperm selection or TESA/PESA retrieval step in. Donor sperm stays as the last option, only when absolutely nothing else is possible.

Picking the right place for a semen analysis is not just about getting a report, it’s about what happens after the report lands on the table. At Nisha IVF, led by Dr. Nisarg Patel, the andrology lab runs strictly on WHO 2021 protocols, so the numbers you see are accurate and clinically meaningful.

With 13+ years of experience and 8000+ IVF cycles, Dr. Nisarg personally reviews every borderline or abnormal semen report. The centre also offers the full male infertility workup under one roof, from basic semen analysis to advanced options like microfluidics, TESA, PESA, and ICSI, so couples don’t have to run between multiple labs and specialists.

• WHO – Semen Examination Manual
• ASRM – Male Infertility Evaluation