The World Health Organization has set the following standards for normal semen
I. Semen volume
The normal semen volume is 2-6 ml. If the volume of semen excreted at one time is greater than 6 ml, it is considered to be too much semen. If the volume of semen excreted at one time is less than 1.0 ml, it is considered to be too little semen. The amount of semen volume is related to the length of abstinence. Longer abstinence results in more semen and vice versa. Therefore, usually when we do semen examination, we will instruct the patient to take semen after an interval of 4 to 5 days after intercourse, so that the examination result will be relatively accurate. Li Qunsheng, Department of Male Medicine, Rui Kang Hospital, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Second, the appearance of semen
The freshly ejaculated semen is jelly-like, grayish white or grayish yellow. When the semen is liquefied, it is translucent milky white or milky yellow. The semen ejaculated by those who have not ejaculated for a long time is darker in color. The semen of older people is mostly dark yellow.
Three, the smell of semen
Normal semen has a special fishy odor, which some people compare to the smell of chestnut flowers and others describe as poppy base. This odor is due to the oxidation of polyamines in the prostate fluid. The longer the abstinence, the greater the odor.
Fourth, the time of semen liquefaction
Liquefaction of semen is the process of changing semen from jelly-like to liquid-like on its own after ejaculation. The normal semen liquefaction time is 30 minutes. If it takes more than 30 minutes, the semen is not liquefied or incompletely liquefied.
V. Semen viscosity
Semen liquefies in a viscous liquid form. Stick a straw to the semen naturally downward, and if the semen is in discontinuous small drops, dripping down one by one, the viscosity is normal. If there are longer (2 cm) mucus filaments, the viscosity is too high. Semen that is not liquefied, incompletely liquefied or too viscous can affect sperm motility and cause infertility.
VI. Semen pH
Normal semen pH value is 7.2 to 8.0, less than 7.2 or more than 8.0 are abnormal. It is worth noting that semen should be examined immediately after liquefaction, and specimens left for too long will affect the results of semen PH.
VII. Sperm count
The sperm count for normal fertility is 20 million/ml. After several examinations sperm count less than 20 million/ml is oligospermia. A sperm count greater than 250 million/ml is considered polyspermia. Too much or too little sperm count can affect fertility.
VIII. Sperm activity rate
The sperm motility rate refers to the ratio of sperm surviving in the semen. The normal sperm motility rate is ≥ 60%.
Nine, sperm motility
Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to move, and is usually divided into five levels of sperm motility.
Grade A, sperm straight and fast forward movement.
B, sperm slow forward motion.
Class C, no directional movement.
Class D, sperm moving in place.
Grade E, sperm motion in situ.
Normal sperm motility should be, within 60 minutes of ejaculation, grade A + B ≥ 50%, or grade A ≥ 25%.
X. Sperm morphology
Normal morphology of sperm > 50% and deformed sperm not more than 40%. If more than this standard is deformed spermatozoa, is one of the causes of male infertility.
Eleven, the number of white blood cells in semen
The number of white blood cells in normal semen is <1×106/ml, i.e., the number of white blood cells per high-powered field of view should be less than 10. If more than 20 should be considered as spermatozoa.