Examination of male sterility
Barták, V.
Zentralblatt für Gynakologie 99(20): 1225-1230
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4197 PMID: 595957 Document Number: 122001
The procedures for determining male fertility are described. It is much easier to determine male fertility than female fertility. A thorough anamnesis should be taken at the beginning of the examination, for infectious diseases can affect male fertility. Secondary sexual characteristics are observed and the outer genitals are measured. The motility of the spermatozoa is determined according to the MacLeod scale; the minimum value for normal motility is 3. An average of 70% of the spermatozoa should be motile, with a lower normal limit (LNL) of 60%. The morphological quality of the spermatozoa is measured; the average value for abnormal findings is 30%, the LNL is 40%. The volume of the ejaculate (average 3.5 ml, LNL 1.5 ml) and the spermatozoa concentration (average 80-100 Mill/ml, LNL 40 Mill/ml) are measured. The vitality of the spermatozoa can be determined with the test of the average velocity of the spermatozoa according to Hynie, with an average value of 30 mc/sec and a LNL of 10 mc/sec. This test can be repeated 1,3, and 5 hours after ejaculation for a more accurate determination of sperm vitality. The nomenclature for spermiological examinations is discussed.