Your report may contain several medical terms. Here is what each one means and the reference value you may need to know.

• Semen volume: This is the amount of semen collected during ejaculation. The WHO lower reference limit is 1.4 mL. A lower volume may be related to incomplete sample collection, hormonal factors or problems affecting the reproductive tract, so your doctor may consider other findings before drawing conclusions.
• Sperm concentration: This tells you how many sperm are present in one millilitre of semen. The lower reference limit is 16 million sperm per mL. A lower concentration means fewer sperm are present in a given volume, but it does not automatically mean natural conception is impossible.
• Total sperm count: This is the total number of sperm in the entire sample, calculated using sperm concentration and semen volume. The lower reference limit is 39 million sperm per ejaculate. Looking at total count alongside concentration gives a more complete picture of the number of sperm available.
• Sperm motility: This measures how well sperm move. The lower reference limit for total sperm motility is 42%, while progressive motility, which measures sperm moving forward has a lower reference limit of 30%. Movement matters because sperm need to travel through the female reproductive tract to reach the egg.
• Sperm morphology: This refers to the shape and structure of sperm. The lower reference limit for normal forms is 4%. Although this may seem low, sperm shape is assessed using strict laboratory criteria. Morphology alone cannot determine whether a man can father a child.
• Sperm vitality: This measures the percentage of living sperm in the sample. The lower reference limit is 54%. It is particularly useful when many sperm are not moving, as it helps distinguish living but immotile sperm from dead sperm.
• Other laboratory observations: Your report may also mention semen pH, liquefaction time, viscosity and white blood cells. These findings can provide additional information about the sample and possible inflammation or other concerns. Their significance depends on the results and clinical context.