Enter your Everyday Health log-in here:

E-Mail Address:
Forgot Your Password?

Semen Analysis - Results

A semen analysis measures the amount of semen a man produces and determines the number and quality of sperm in the semen sample. Results of a semen analysis are usually available within a day. Normal values may vary from lab to lab.

Semen analysis1

Semen volume


2–5 milliliters (mL) (0.002–0.005 L in SI units) per ejaculation



Liquefaction time


20–30 minutes after collection



Sperm count


20 million spermatozoa per milliliter (mL) or more

0 sperm per milliliter if the man has had a vasectomy


A very low sperm count is present, which may mean infertility. But a low sperm count does not always mean that a man cannot father a child. Men with sperm counts below 1 million have fathered children.

Sperm shape (morphology)


More than 30% of the sperm have normal shape.

Kruger criteria: More than 14% of the sperm have a normal shape.



Sperm movement (motility)


More than 50% of the sperm show normal forward movement after 1 hour.


Sperm must be able to move forward (or "swim") through cervical mucus to reach an egg. A high percentage of sperm that cannot swim properly may impair a man's ability to father a child.

Semen pH


Semen pH of 7.1–8.0



White blood cells


No white blood cells or bacteria are detected.



Certain conditions may be linked with a low or absent sperm count. These conditions include orchitis, varicocele, Klinefelter syndrome, radiation treatment to the testicles, or diseases that can cause shrinking (atrophy) of the testicles (such as mumps).

If a low sperm count or a high percentage of sperm abnormalities are found, further testing may be done. Other tests may include measuring hormones, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or prolactin. A small sample (biopsy) of the testicles may be needed for further evaluation if the sperm count or motility is extremely low.

