Male Fertility

Almost 10% of men will experience some form of infertility. Most often sperm quality or quantity are the core of the infertility diagnosis in men. Sperm motility (percentage of sperm that can properly swim) and morphology (percentage of sperm that are of proper shape) can be easily diagnosis after a routine semen analysis (SA). SA’s are quick, non-invasive, and often covered by insurance.

Semen Analysis

Conceptions infertility specialists discreetly work with you to determine the underlying cause and offer the most effective treatment options for your condition. We use the gold standard Kruger strict morphology and our screening includes comprehensive detailed results.

Semen analysis is the most common laboratory test for the initial diagnostic evaluation of male reproductive function. Characteristics assessed are volume, pH, viscosity/liquefaction, agglutination, concentration, motility, rate/progression, viability (If motility is less than 30%), morphology, and evaluation of cellular debris and white blood cells in the sample.

When a semen sample cannot be produced sperm extraction procedures may be necessary. We work closely with several urologists in the community who perform these procedures.

What a Semen Analysis Tests

Volume

Volume of the ejaculate is contributed mainly by the seminal vesicles and prostate gland. Precise measurement of volume is essential because it allows the total number of spermatozoa and non-sperm cells in the ejaculate to be calculated. Immediately after ejaculation, semen is typically a semi-solid coagulated mass. After collection the sample is placed in the incubator to liquefy.

Viscosity

Viscosity is the thickness of the sample. If viscosity is abnormal, or too thick, a sperm may not be able to swim properly.

Agglutination

Agglutination refers to motile sperm sticking to each other, head-to-head, tail-to-tail, or in a mixed way. It is also suggestive of the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. Agglutination may be indicative of problems conceiving naturally.

Concentration

Concentration is the number of cells (dead and alive) across 1 row on 10 squares of a MicroCell counting chamber. The number of sperm cells will be used to determine the final total motile count.

Motility

Motility is calculated as a percentage by counting the total motile number of sperm cells out of 100. The (volume) x (concentration) x (motility) = the total motile count. The rate is the speed at which the sperm are moving and the progression is the forward movement of the sperm. A sample may have normal concentration and motility, but if the sperm have poor progression, they may never reach an egg.

Viability

Viability, which is only performed on samples with motility < 30%, is used to provide a check on the motility evaluation. The sperm are stained with a dye that will be absorbed by non-viable cells, but not by living sperm. Dead cells have an incomplete cellular membrane which lets dye through, but living sperm have a complete membrane that keeps it out.

Morphology

Morphology, or shape of the sperm, is evaluated by closely looking at the head, mid-piece, and tail of 100 sperm and determining them to be normal, or abnormal. Abnormal sperm are then broken down into several categories based on appearance. Sperm with the best morphology are individually selected by our embryologist to be injected into the egg.

All of these parameters help our doctors predict their plan for your cycle and provide you with the best care. A semen analysis may be repeated after male vitamins and other health changes are recommended.

Donor Sperm Program

Donor sperm is used by couples when the spouse/partner has no sperm or very poor sperm (azoospermia, oligospermia, or other factors). Donor sperm can also be used if the male partner has an inherited genetic condition. Donor sperm also allows single women or same-sex couples the opportunity to conceive a child.

Donor sperm has been frozen for later use since the 1970s, and countless babies have been born as a result of using donor sperm. It is one of the most common fertility treatment options available.

Conceptions offers several opportunities to use Donor Sperm for these situations:

Donor Sperm IUI Cycles – IUI with donor sperm can be performed under certain conditions (completed physical workup, psych clearance per FDA guidelines, communicable disease screening, physician approval)
Donor Sperm IVF Cycles – IVF with donor sperm can be performed under most conditions (completed physical workup, psych clearance per FDA guidelines, communicable disease screening, physician approval)
Donor Sperm for Embryo Freezing – Embryos can be created using donor sperm with plans for longer-term storage, often in the case of a cancer diagnosis, delayed conception due to going back to school, etc.

Donor Sperm Banks

Conceptions only accepts donor sperm from reputable, FDA-regulated sperm banks.

Conceptions has approved sperm banks:

Seattle Sperm Bank
206-588-1484
4915 25th Ave NE #204
Seattle, WA 98105

Denver Sperm Bank
303-970-5897
1601 E 19th Ave #4500
Denver, CO 80218

California Cryobank
866-927-9622
11915 La Grange Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Cryogam
800-473-9601
2216 Hoffman Dr. Unit B
Loveland, CO 80538

Fairfax Cryobank
800-338-8407
3015 Willaims Drive, Ste 110
Fairfax, VA 22031