Why Sperm Tests before IVF? 🔬📉
Channel: Vitalab Fertility Clinic - Sandton and Umhlanga
Date: 2021-06-07

Why Sperm Tests before IVF?

Why Sperm Tests before IVF, this is a common question from our patients and today we have our Andrologist Marisa Marais from Vitalab Fertility Clinic in Sandton discussing all we need to know around Sperm (or Semen) analysis, tests, evaluations and why they are important when dealing with infertility and evaluating the male partner. 

What is a semen evaluation? How does this provide information to the treating Doctor about the fertility potential of the male partner? This is a basic or initial test and looks at the classical descriptive parameters of sperm. These are the MACROSPOCIC paraments being colour, volume and more. The MICROSCOPIC paraments being evaluated are the motility, morphology and more. 

This initial test, a semen evaluation does provide limited information regarding the actual function or competence of the sperm sample. Thus, your treating professionals may request further tests to be able to assess the full parameters needed. One such test, could be the CASA – computer aided sperm analysis. 

With the CASA test, we are trying to find the percentage of sperm which will have the ability to penetrate the egg (mucus layer) and hopefully lead to fertilization during natural conception. One important factor to note is that sperm hyperactivation is now seen as an important factor for fertilization. 

Here at Vitalab we refer to the more comprehensive test as being the “SFA” or the Sperm Functional Assessment and it includes evaluations for all the above matters regarding the sperm sample. 

These tests will be important for your treating doctor to then decide on the way forward for your infertility treatment (or ART) at Vitalab. For example, the doctor may recommend that the sample was suitable for insemination procedures or that it was not suitable and an ICSI procedure is better suited for a positive outcome. 

This is a very technical topic and can be overwhelming for patients if they attempt to interpret the SFA or semen analysis results themselves. Thus, it is important for patients to have an open discussion with their Andrologist and Clinician regarding their results and way forward.  

Vitalab’s YouTube Channel tries to provide you with the best medical information around infertility, recurrent miscarriages or other just trying to conceive (TTC) topics. We have tried to cover infertility testing, fertility treatments, fertility medications and fertility treatments like IUI and IVF (in vitro fertilization). One of the most popular playlists is the How TO on all IVF Medications which is a step-by-step video on how to prepare and administer all your fertility medications. 

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DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A PATIENT AT VITALAB? 
Vitalab is a Johannesburg and Umhlanga based fertility clinic that has been committed to helping couples build families since 1984. We have pioneered a wholesome approach to fertility, supporting our patients medically, physically and emotionally. We do everything in our power to ensure you arrive as a patient and leave as a parent, at both our Branches. 

www.vitalab.com OR call +2711 911 4700

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