There is a clear relationship between semen test results and the fertility status of a couple.
Ejaculate analysis:
Macroscopic Examination: Liquefaction time, color, volume, viscosity, pH.
Microscopic Examination: Concentration, Motility, Viability, Nuclear Maturity, Agglutination, Morphology, MAR test.
Functional Examination:
Hypo-osmotic Swelling Test (HOS test), Sperm Capacitation Test, Sperm Survival Test, Fragmentation of Sperm DNA.
If any other sperm alteration is suspected, there are complementary tests as follows.
Biochemical Analysis:
Markers of prostate function: Citric acid, Zinc, Acid phosphatase.
Seminal vesicle markers: Fructose and Prostaglandins, Alkaline phosphatase.
Epididymal markers: Free L-Carnitine, Glycerophosphocholine, α-glucosidase, Maltase.
Hormonal Analysis:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Determines the functionality of the germinal epithelium.
Luteinizing hormone (LH): Determines the functionality of the testicular interstitium and Leydig cells. Testosterone: Determines the testicular endocrine function.
Identification of immature germ cells:
Presence of spermatogonia.
Presence of primary and secondary spermatocytes.
Presence of round and elongated spermatids.