(BQ) Part 2 book “Male reproductive dysfunction” has contents: Semen analysis, other investigations of a case of male infertility, psychological aspect of infertility, role of surgery in male infertility, role of assisted reproduction in male infertility, other causes of male infertility, and other contents. | Semen Analysis 129 CHAPTER 7 Semen Analysis INTRODUCTION Semen analysis still remains singularly the most informative investigation in the management of male infertility, notwithstanding the plethora of investigative tools now available to us. Its role in the etiological diagnosis of male infertility, however, is limited to azoospermia. Perhaps no other aspects of infertility are more controversial than the evaluation of male factor and in particular—the evaluation of semen. Often, the erroneous results stem from failure to ensure rigid criteria for transport and age of the specimen, and to set the standard technique for its evaluation under the microscope. Any evaluation of semen must be based on overall picture that relates the volume, count, morphology, acrosome reaction and other cellular contents. No single factor can be considered in isolation, but motility is perhaps the most important criteria1 for fertilisation. The “minimally adequate parameters” of semen are not the same as the “average parameters” of fertile men because of the variable female Besides containing sperms, normal semen contains a number of other substances. These substances include water, simple sugars such as fructose for the nourishment for the sperms and alkaline chemicals that buffer the sperm against the acidic environment of the urethra and vagina. In addition, it contains the prostaglandins, which are fatty acid compounds that spur contractions in the muscles of the uterus and fallopian tubes aiding sperm’s journey through the uterus, vitamin C, zinc, cholesterol and a few additional compounds. The semen can carry the bacteria or viruses of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus, but normal healthy semen does not contain any harmful substance. In most Indian laboratories, semen analysis is a relatively inexpensive test. But its relative inexpensiveness leads many patients and doctors too to believe that it is
