Quick answer
The Semen Analysis Test costs ₹350 at Live Line Health Care. Examines a fresh semen sample for sperm count, movement and shape. No fasting is needed. It uses a semen sample and the report is usually ready the same day. It is done at a Live Line centre, not at home, and 45 centres offer it.
Also known as: Sperm Count Test, Seminogram, Semen Test, Sperm Test, Male Fertility Test, Semen Examination, Sperm Analysis, Seminal Fluid Analysis
What is the Semen Analysis Test?
A semen analysis examines a fresh semen sample to see how many sperm there are, how well they move and whether they are normally shaped, along with features of the fluid itself, such as volume, thickness and how quickly it liquefies. Male factors contribute to roughly half of the difficulty couples have in conceiving, so this simple test is one of the first a doctor requests, usually at the same time as the woman’s tests. It is also used to confirm that a vasectomy has worked.
Sperm start to lose movement within an hour of collection and are affected by temperature, so the sample has to be given at our centre and examined while fresh. It is collected by masturbation into a sterile container, without lubricant, saliva or a condom. A single result can be misleading, as sperm counts vary a great deal from week to week, and a fever even two to three months earlier can lower them. If the result is abnormal, doctors usually repeat the test after a few weeks before drawing any conclusion.
What it measures: Semen volume, appearance, liquefaction, viscosity and pH, plus sperm concentration, total count, progressive and total motility, the proportion of normally shaped sperm, and any white or red blood cells.
Parameters included (13)
- Volume
- Appearance and colour
- Liquefaction time
- Viscosity
- pH
- Sperm concentration
- Total sperm count
- Progressive motility
- Non-progressive motility
- Immotile sperm
- Normal morphology (%)
- Pus cells (WBC)
- Red blood cells
Why is this test done?
- Part of the first workup when a couple has not conceived after a year of trying, or six months if the woman is over 35
- Confirming that no sperm are present after a vasectomy
- Checking sperm before fertility treatment such as IUI or IVF
- Follow-up after treatment of a varicocele, infection or hormone problem
- Assessing fertility after illness, chemotherapy, or long-term medicines that affect sperm
When should you get tested?
- Trying to conceive for 12 months without success
- Low sex drive, erectile difficulty or problems with ejaculation
- Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicles, which should also be examined by a doctor
- A past history of mumps affecting the testicles, undescended testes or groin surgery
- You had a vasectomy and your doctor has asked for a clearance check
How to prepare for the Semen Analysis Test
- 1Abstain from ejaculation for at least 2 days and no more than 7 days before the test. Longer abstinence does not improve the result.
- 2Collect the whole sample by masturbation at our centre into the sterile container given to you. Do not use lubricant, saliva or an ordinary condom, as they can harm sperm.
- 3Make sure the first part of the ejaculate goes into the container, as it holds the most sperm. Tell the staff if any part was lost.
- 4Avoid alcohol and tell the staff about any fever, illness or new medicines in the last 3 months, since sperm take about that long to develop.
Semen Analysis Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Semen volume | 1.4 mL or more |
| Sperm concentration | 16 million per mL or more |
| Total sperm count | 39 million per ejaculate or more |
| Total motility (progressive + non-progressive) | 42% or more |
| Progressive motility | 30% or more |
| Normal morphology | 4% or more |
| pH | 7.2 or more |
These are the lower reference limits from the WHO laboratory manual (6th edition, 2021). Values below them are not a diagnosis of infertility, and values above them do not guarantee fertility. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- Results above the reference limits are reassuring, but fertility depends on both partners. If you are not conceiving, the woman’s tests matter just as much.
- A low count (oligozoospermia), poor movement (asthenozoospermia) or few normal forms (teratozoospermia) on one test should be repeated after a few weeks, as values vary widely.
- No sperm in the sample (azoospermia) needs specialist review. It can be caused by a blockage or by low production, and hormone tests such as FSH and testosterone help find which.
- Pus cells in semen may point to infection or inflammation, and your doctor may ask for a semen culture.
Semen Analysis Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Semen Analysis Test?
The Semen Analysis Test costs ₹350 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres.
How many days of abstinence are needed before a semen analysis?
Between 2 and 7 days without ejaculation is recommended. Less than 2 days can lower the volume and count, while more than 7 days can increase the number of older, less mobile sperm. If you repeat the test, try to keep the same number of days so the results can be compared.
Why must the semen sample be given at the centre?
Sperm movement starts to fall within an hour, and cold or heat during travel can damage them. Giving the sample at the centre lets it be checked while fresh, after the right liquefaction time, so the motility result reflects your sperm and not the journey.
What is a normal sperm count?
By WHO reference limits, a concentration of 16 million sperm per mL or more, or a total of 39 million per ejaculate, is in the reference range. Many men below these levels still father children, and many above them have other fertility issues, so the doctor looks at all results together.
Can a semen analysis be wrong?
It can be misleading, because sperm counts change naturally from week to week. Illness, fever, stress, a short or long abstinence and an incomplete sample can all lower a result. This is why an abnormal semen analysis is usually repeated after a few weeks before any conclusion is drawn.
How can I improve my sperm count?
Stopping smoking and tobacco, cutting down alcohol, losing excess weight, staying active and avoiding overheating, such as hot baths or a laptop on the lap, can help. Because sperm take about 3 months to develop, changes show in later tests. Speak to your doctor about any medicines or supplements.
When is semen analysis done after a vasectomy?
Usually about 12 weeks after the procedure, and after at least 20 ejaculations, to check that no sperm remain. Continue using contraception until your doctor confirms the result. Some men need a second test before they are given the all-clear.
Where can I get the Semen Analysis Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore. This test is done at a centre, not at home.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.