Medically reviewed by Dr. Farhan Mukhtar, M.B.B.S., M.Phil (Pb.), Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Al-Nasar Lab & Diagnostic Centre. Updated September 2026.
Quick answer: Semen analysis measures sperm count, movement and shape, and it is the first test in assessing male fertility. It requires 2 to 7 days of abstinence beforehand, and the sample must reach the laboratory within one hour, kept close to body temperature. One abnormal result means very little on its own, because sperm production varies considerably. A repeat after several weeks is standard.
Book a semen analysis: call 0300 0341944. A private collection room is available at our Johar Town campus.
What does a semen analysis measure?
| Parameter | What it means | Commonly used lower reference |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | Total amount of semen produced | 1.4 mL or more |
| Concentration | Sperm per millilitre | 16 million per mL or more |
| Total sperm count | Concentration multiplied by volume | 39 million or more |
| Total motility | Percentage of sperm that are moving | 42 percent or more |
| Progressive motility | Percentage moving purposefully forward, which matters most | 30 percent or more |
| Morphology | Percentage with a normal shape | 4 percent or more |
| Vitality | Percentage alive | 54 percent or more |
| pH | Acidity, which can point to gland or duct problems | 7.2 or above |
| Pus cells | Raised numbers suggest infection or inflammation | Below 1 million per mL |
These are reference values, not a pass mark. Men with values below them do father children, and men with normal values are sometimes infertile for other reasons. The report is a starting point for a conversation, not a verdict.
Why does the preparation matter so much?
More than for almost any other laboratory test, the result here depends on how the sample was produced and handled. Getting it wrong produces a falsely abnormal report and a great deal of unnecessary worry.
- Abstain for 2 to 7 days. Less than two days and the count will be artificially low. More than seven days and motility falls, because sperm have been stored too long. This window is not arbitrary
- Deliver within one hour. Motility declines steadily once the sample is outside the body
- Keep it close to body temperature during transport. Cold kills motility. Carrying the container in an inside pocket is better than a bag
- Collect the entire sample. The first portion contains most of the sperm, so a partly lost sample gives a misleadingly low count
- Use only the sterile container provided. Ordinary containers and most lubricants are toxic to sperm
- No lubricants, saliva or condoms unless the laboratory supplies a special non toxic one
Why must the test be repeated?
Sperm production takes roughly two and a half to three months from start to finish. That means the sample you produce today reflects conditions in your body about three months ago.
It also means the result genuinely fluctuates. A fever, an illness, a stressful period, poor sleep or a course of certain medicines can all depress a single sample, and normal biological variation alone is substantial.
For this reason a diagnosis is not made on one report. Standard practice is to repeat after two to four weeks at minimum, often longer, and to compare. Two or more consistent abnormal results carry weight. One does not.
The three month production cycle also explains why lifestyle changes take time to show. Improvements made now will appear in a sample taken about three months later, not next week.
What affects sperm quality?
- Heat. The testes sit outside the body because sperm production needs a cooler temperature. Prolonged hot baths, saunas, laptops on the lap and long hours of driving all matter
- Smoking and tobacco use, including naswar and shisha
- Varicocele, enlarged veins around the testis, a common and often treatable cause. Usually assessed with a scrotal ultrasound
- Infection, suggested by raised pus cells in the sample
- Obesity and poorly controlled diabetes
- Hormonal problems, including low testosterone, thyroid disorders and raised prolactin
- Anabolic steroids and testosterone supplements, which suppress the body’s own sperm production, sometimes severely. This is an important and frequently hidden cause
- Certain medicines, chemotherapy and radiation
- Occupational exposure to heat, solvents, pesticides or heavy metals
- Previous surgery, injury, mumps orchitis or undescended testis
What tests are done alongside?
If the semen analysis is abnormal, the next step is usually to find out why rather than to repeat it indefinitely.
- Hormone profile: testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin. The pattern often distinguishes a problem in the testis itself from one in the hormonal signals reaching it
- Scrotal ultrasound, to look for varicocele, cysts or structural problems
- Thyroid profile and blood sugar
- Semen culture where infection is suspected
- Genetic testing in cases of very low or absent sperm
It is also worth stating plainly that a male factor contributes in roughly half of couples having difficulty conceiving. Assessment of both partners together is the sensible approach, not testing the woman first by default.
What to expect at the centre
A private collection room is available, which is the preferred option because the sample reaches the laboratory immediately and at the right temperature.
If you prefer to collect at home, the laboratory will provide a sterile container and written instructions. The one hour limit and temperature requirement apply strictly. Note the exact time of collection, as the laboratory records it.
Staff handle these appointments routinely and discreetly. If anything about the process is unclear, ask before you start rather than risk an invalid sample.
Semen analysis at Al-Nasar Lab
Al-Nasar Lab & Diagnostic Centre has provided laboratory and imaging services in Lahore since 1996 and holds ISO 15189:2022 accreditation from the Pakistan National Accreditation Council. Semen analysis, hormone profiles and ultrasound are all available at our Johar Town campus, so a full initial assessment can usually be completed without several separate visits.
Find your nearest location, see our full test list, or contact us to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should I abstain before a semen analysis?
Between 2 and 7 days. Fewer than two lowers the count artificially, and more than seven reduces motility.
How quickly must the sample reach the laboratory?
Within one hour, kept close to body temperature. Cold and delay both reduce motility and can make a normal sample look abnormal.
Can I collect the sample at home?
Yes, using the sterile container provided, if you can reach the laboratory within an hour and keep the sample warm. A private room at the centre is preferable.
My report is abnormal. Does that mean I am infertile?
No. A single abnormal result is common and proves little, since sperm production varies and reflects conditions around three months earlier. A repeat test is needed before any conclusion.
Do testosterone supplements affect the result?
Yes, significantly. External testosterone and anabolic steroids suppress the body’s own sperm production. Tell your doctor if you take either, including gym supplements.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please discuss your results with a qualified doctor.
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