Male Fertility Investigations
Male Fertility Investigations
Semen analysis
The semen analysis is the main test to evaluate the male partner. There are four parameters analyzed: • semen volume – A smaller amount may suggest a structural or hormonal problem leading to deficient semen production; • sperm concentration – A lower concentration may lead to a lower chance for conception without treatment; • sperm motility or movement –Less than 50% motility may significantly affect the ability for sperm to fertilize the egg without therapy; and • morphology, or shape – there are three parts of the sperm that are analyzed for morphology: the head, mid piece, and tail. Abnormality in the shape may indicate abnormal sperm function and compromise the ability of sperm to fertilize the egg.
An abnormal semen analysis warrants a further evaluation usually by a reproductive urologist.
DNA Fragmentation test
Semen analysis cannot provide information about the DNA (genetic constitution) of the sperm, which is essential for normal embryo development. DNA fragmentation refers to the amount of damage seen in sperm DNA by calculating what percentage of the sperm has breaks in the DNA. Sperms are very small yet they need to carry massive amounts of genetic information to the egg.
Over the last decade, significant research has been done to look at how the amount of damage observed in sperm DNA can be used as a marker for male infertility. One important observation is that the amount of sperm damage detected does not always correlate with semen parameters. In other words, you can have a normal sperm count, motility, and morphology, and still have large amounts of sperm DNA damage. Interestingly, the egg has some capacity to repair damaged sperm DNA upon fertilization, however, scientists believe there may be a threshold of DNA damage beyond the repair capacity of eggs.
The DNA Fragmentation test is intended to explore the DNA damage in sperm cells which may explain the cause of male infertility and recurrent miscarriages.Testing for DNA fragmentation is similar to the regular method of semen analysis, but the semen sample obtained is sent to a sperm DNA fragmentation lab for testing.
Understanding your sperm DNA test result will enable you to make the lifestyle choices that could improve your sperm DNA quality and make an informed decision of whether IVF or ICSI are appropriate fertility treatments for you. It will also tell you the likelihood of the sperm being able to fertilise the egg and whether fertilization is likely to achieve a full-term pregnancy. Hormone Blood Tests for MenIf the semen analysis test results are extremely poor, blood tests may be taken for levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and Oestradiol (E2). A raised FSH level may be an indication of testicular failure. Karyotyping TestKaryotyping is a blood test which will involve counting the number of chromosomes in a human cell and looking for abnormalities in the structure of chromosomes. Y-Chromosome MicrodeletionAn abnormality of the Y chromosome may be the cause of oligospermia or azoospermia. This condition is passed from men to their sons, causing them to be subfertile.
Two thirds of men who have an abnormal CF gene will also have congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) a condition where the sperm ducts do not develop properly and therefore, sperm is not carried from the testicles, resulting in azoospermia.
Over the last decade, significant research has been done to look at how the amount of damage observed in sperm DNA can be used as a marker for male infertility. One important observation is that the amount of sperm damage detected does not always correlate with semen parameters. In other words, you can have a normal sperm count, motility, and morphology, and still have large amounts of sperm DNA damage. Interestingly, the egg has some capacity to repair damaged sperm DNA upon fertilization, however, scientists believe there may be a threshold of DNA damage beyond the repair capacity of eggs.
The DNA Fragmentation test is intended to explore the DNA damage in sperm cells which may explain the cause of male infertility and recurrent miscarriages.Testing for DNA fragmentation is similar to the regular method of semen analysis, but the semen sample obtained is sent to a sperm DNA fragmentation lab for testing.
Understanding your sperm DNA test result will enable you to make the lifestyle choices that could improve your sperm DNA quality and make an informed decision of whether IVF or ICSI are appropriate fertility treatments for you. It will also tell you the likelihood of the sperm being able to fertilise the egg and whether fertilization is likely to achieve a full-term pregnancy. Hormone Blood Tests for MenIf the semen analysis test results are extremely poor, blood tests may be taken for levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and Oestradiol (E2). A raised FSH level may be an indication of testicular failure. Karyotyping TestKaryotyping is a blood test which will involve counting the number of chromosomes in a human cell and looking for abnormalities in the structure of chromosomes. Y-Chromosome MicrodeletionAn abnormality of the Y chromosome may be the cause of oligospermia or azoospermia. This condition is passed from men to their sons, causing them to be subfertile.
- Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening
Two thirds of men who have an abnormal CF gene will also have congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) a condition where the sperm ducts do not develop properly and therefore, sperm is not carried from the testicles, resulting in azoospermia.