Introduction
• The availability of semen renders possible direct examination of
male germ cells, giving precious data that are not accessible for
female germ cells.
• Semen analysis includes the examination of :
– Spermatozoa
– Other cells present in semen
– Seminal fluid
• These data giv
e indic
ations on the testicular function and of the
integrity of the male genital tract.

Type of assays
• 1. descriptive assay: – spermogram
• 2. functional assays: -penetration of cervical mucus (postcoital
test,
in vitro penetration assay)
• – binding of spz to the zona pellucida
• – fusion of spz with zona-free hamster
oocyte.
• – hypo-osmotic swelling of the flagella.
• 3. immunological assay: – mixed agglutination test (MAR-test).
• – immunobead test.
• – sperm immobilization in cervical mucus

Spermatozoa analysis

• Parameters available from:

• Semen: -Spermogram,analysis of spermatozoa and seminal plasma 
- MAR -test 
- Bacteriolgical analysis