Semen Analysis Results: Parameters, Norms and Meaning
Reviewed by the LabReadAI medical team
A semen analysis is the main test of male fertility, but its form is full of intimidating terms: concentration, motility grades, morphology, agglutination. Let's break down how to read a semen analysis, which values count as normal by WHO criteria and what diagnoses like oligozoospermia mean. This guide covers the general parameters; the strict Kruger morphology assessment is covered separately in semen analysis by Kruger.
Semen Analysis Norms (WHO Lower Reference Limits)
| Parameter | Lower limit of normal (WHO) |
|---|---|
| Semen volume | ≥ 1.4 mL |
| Sperm concentration | ≥ 16 million/mL |
| Total count per ejaculate | ≥ 39 million |
| Total motility | ≥ 42 % |
| Progressive motility | ≥ 30 % |
| Morphology (normal forms) | ≥ 4 % |
| Vitality | ≥ 54 % |
These are lower reference limits, not an "ideal": values below do not mean infertility, and above do not guarantee conception. References depend on the lab.
Sperm Concentration, Motility and Morphology
- Volume — the amount of ejaculate; a drop can follow short abstinence or gland features.
- Concentration and total count — how many sperm; a key parameter.
- Motility — the share that move, especially progressively (forward); important for fertilisation.
- Morphology — the share of normally shaped sperm.
- Vitality, agglutination, leukocytes — round out the picture (inflammation, immune factor).
Common "Diagnoses" in the Report
- Oligozoospermia — reduced sperm concentration.
- Asthenozoospermia — reduced motility.
- Teratozoospermia — many defective forms (low morphology).
- Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) — several parameters reduced at once.
- Azoospermia — no sperm found (needs a separate work-up).
Why a Semen Analysis Is Repeated
The values fluctuate strongly with abstinence period, illness, temperature and stress. So conclusions are not drawn from one analysis: with abnormalities it is repeated after 2–3 months (the sperm maturation cycle is ~74 days), with 2–7 days of abstinence before testing. Hormones are assessed separately — FSH and testosterone.
When to See a Doctor (Andrologist)
See an andrologist for persistent abnormalities across two tests, azoospermia, signs of inflammation (leukocytes), and when trying to conceive for over a year without success. What affects male health and testosterone is in how to increase testosterone.
To understand your own form in plain language, upload the semen analysis (PDF or photo) to the lab results interpretation service: the AI will explain the parameters against WHO norms. This helps you understand the result but does not replace an andrologist.
This article is informational. Diagnosis and treatment are the job of an andrologist or urologist.
For informational purposes only
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical guidance.