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Male Diagnostic Testing

In assisted reproduction the male plays an essential role, as having children always requires two people. Infertility affects 15% of couples. 30% of cases are due to the male factor alone and another 30% of cases are due to a combination of both male and female factors. For this reason it is important to study the male’s sperm, starting with the sperm analysis, before deciding if other tests are needed to reach the best diagnosis.

Sperm Analysis

The sperm analysis is the first diagnostic test indicated for the study of male fertility to evaluate sperm production, motility, morphology, and the functioning of the prostate and seminal vesicles. The aim of this analysis is to determine whether the male plays a role in the couple’s infertility and to help the gynaecologist decide on the most appropriate assisted reproduction technique.

The sperm analysis examines macroscopic parameters such as volume, colour, appearance, pH, viscosity, elasticity and liquefaction time; and microscopic parameters such as the total number of sperm, sperm concentration, type of motility, morphology, presence of sperm clusters, and types and quantity of other non-sperm cells. According to the results of the analysis and the reference values of the World Health Organisation from 2010, we will diagnose the sperm sample. The gynaecologist will evaluate the results obtained from the sperm analysis as part of the couple’s case assessment.

Male Diagnostic Testing | URE Centro Gutenberg
Sperm Capacitation or REM | URE Centro Gutenberg

Sperm Capacitation or REM

The sperm capacitation test or REM (Recovery of Motile Spermatozoids), is a complementary study to the sperm analysis.

This test involves eliminating sperm plasma from the ejaculate and recovering only the spermatozoids with the best motility and highest chances of fertilising the egg.

The motile sperm count obtained through this test helps the gynaecologist to decide which assisted reproduction technique will be the most appropriate.

Other Male Diagnostic Testing

DNA Fragmentation

Sperm DNA Fragmentation is an additional parameter that measures sperm quality. All sperm samples have some degree of fragmentation which, if higher than normal, can negatively affect a couple’s likelihood for success with assisted reproduction treatment. This is because elevated levels can impact fertilisation rates, lead to poor embryo quality and result in higher chances of recurrent miscarriage and lower success rates with assisted reproduction treatment.

Scientific studies show that different types of sperm DNA fragmentation are associated with different clinical conditions. While single strand DNA breaks are related to the condition of male infertility, double stand DNA breaks are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage owing to the spermatozoid. Our specialists will indicate, if necessary, the appropriate test for each patient.

To evaluate single strand sperm DNA fragmentation we use Halosperm®. This kit determines the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by relying on sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) as an indicator.

Non Fragmented Spermatozoids | URE Centro Gutenberg

Non Fragmented Spermatozoids

Fragmented Spermatozoids | URE Centro Gutenberg

Fragmented Spermatozoids

Sperm FISH

The Sperm FISH Analysis studies the number of chromosomes that the sperm in a semen sample have, letting us determine whether the sperm have a normal or abnormal chromosomal makeup (known as abnormal sperm FISH).

An abnormal sperm FISH analysis means there is an increased number of chromosome anomalies in the male’s sperm which could result in embryos with abnormalities (common cases of recurrent miscarriage and/or implantation failure). In these cases, a Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis on the embryos from In Vitro Fertilisation treatment is recommended before they are transferred to the female’s uterus.

The Sperm FISH Analysis is indicated when there is some type of severe abnormality in the sperm such as a low sperm count (oligozoospermia), in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and/or previous unsuccessful In Vitro Fertilisation cycles.

More info

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