3 months after your vasectomy reversal, you can have your sperm analysed and this is the recognised method of how to test for male fertility.
A semen results analysis is often available within a day or two. The results can by affected by the following factors:
length of time from ejaculation to analysis (ideally this should be half an hour)
contamination
not abstaining for 2-5 days prior to giving the sample
recent systemic illness (for example: a temperature for whatever reason).
The results will look at the volume of sperm per ml, their movement and whether they are anatomically right
The Sperm
Sperm Motility
Motility means movement and it is the amout of movement which is often more important that the amount of sperm. Sperm either move or they don't: there aren't many in between. Obviously, it is the ones that can swim that make the journey to the egg for fertilzation.
There are 4 grades of Sperm as outlined by the World Health Organisation
Grade a: these sperm are the fastest, they know exactly where they need to go to. They are known as "fast progressive".
Grade b: these sperm do go forward but slowly or in a wavy line. They are known as "slow progressive".
Grade c: these sperm move their tails rapidly but go nowhere. They are called "non-progressive".
Grade d: these sperm do not move at all. They are called "immotile".
Sperm Shape
A sperm should have a regular oval head, a mid-piece and a long straight tail, not dissimilar to a tadpole
Many laboratories use a set of criteria called the "Kruger" criteria which assess the percentage of normal sperm. A normal sample should have at least 15% normal, yes 15%!
Video Showing Sperm Magnified
Sperm Agglutination
This is where the sperm clump together in groups. When this happens, they stop themselves from moving freely so it is difficult for them to move towards the egg.
The Semen
The semen is produced by the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles. It is milky in colour
Semen Volume
The normal quantity in an ejaculate ranges from 2- 6mls.
Semen Viscosity or Liquefication
Although as an ejaculate it is a liquid, it very soon becomes a gel and then after half an hour or so, it returns to be a liquid again and this is when the volume can be measured.
Semen concentration
This is the number of sperm seen per million per ml.
Other pages which might be immediately helpful to you:
All the information on this site does not replace the personal information that can be obtained through direct doctor/patient contact but is to help you find information about vasectomy reversals and possible outcomes.
