Not Just a Sperm Analysis: How Sperm Is Tested Before Fertilization

Author of the post: our doctor @dr.kozyra

The carousel contains a list of tests that are actively used to evaluate sperm For each examination, a man must donate sperm. And you need to prepare properly beforehand:

  • 2-4 days before the test, abstain from sexual intercourse, alcohol, tobacco smoking, drugs and other psychoactive substances
  • 3 days before – exclude spicy, fatty, salty foods from the diet
  • 1-2 days before, avoid hot baths, saunas, and cold exposures
  • one day before – consult a doctor (!) and, if necessary, cancel medications
  • avoid intense physical activity and stress the day before

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Spermogram

  • examination of sperm under a microscope
  • allows you to determine the concentration, motility and morphology of spermatozoa
  • a mandatory test for all couples planning a pregnancy

HBA test

  • allows you to determine the percentage of mature sperm suitable for fertilisation
  • The essence of the test is to check how well sperm bind to hyaluronic acid (which is the main component of the oocyte-cum-egg complex, the environment surrounding the egg).

In this way, the test simulates the natural process of fertilisation

  • the norm of mature sperm should be should be >80%.

HBA test is often prescribed as an addition to the spermogram

  • helps to choose the optimal ART method

Sperm DNA fragmentation

  • The test detects damaged DNA (fragmentation = breaks in the DNA) in a semen sample
  • all men normally have a small % of DNA damage (15-20%)
  • This % can increase to pathological due to infections, bad habits, exposure to toxins, after radio/chemotherapy, etc.

FISH analysis of sperm

  • examination of spermatozoa under a fluorescence microscope
  • allows you to identify chromosomal abnormalities in sperm (extra or missing chromosomes (aneuploidy), doubling of the chromosome set, etc.)
  • chromosomal abnormalities can lead to infertility, miscarriage or be inherited by a child

Additional sperm tests, in addition to spermogram, are most often recommended in the following cases:

  • abnormalities in the spermogram
  • usual pregnancy loss
  • repeated unsuccessful embryo cultivation
  • repeated unsuccessful IVF attemptsYou do not need to undergo all these tests as soon as your couple decides to conceive!

The necessary scope of tests can only be determined by your doctor after an examination and history collection.