A general semen analysis includes:

• Macroscopic evaluation of the sample, such as volume, liquefaction time, pH.
• Microscopic evaluation, consisting of:

1. a) Total sperm count (concentration), which is expressed as millions of spermatozoa / ml
2. b) Sperm motility, which is split into 4 categories (rapid progressive motility, slow progressive motility, non-progressive motility and immotile).
3. c) Sperm morphology (head, midpiece and tail)
4. d) Count of white blood cells.

According to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), a sperm sample with the following characteristics is considered normal.

• Volume: at least 1,5 ml
• Sperm count: at least 000.000 /ml

• Progressive motility: At least 32%, within 1 hour.
• Morphology: At least 4% of spermatozoa should be normal.

Sperm disorders

Oligospermia: Low number of sperm cells (less than 15 million/ml or 39 million total).

Asthenospermia: Low progressive motility (less than 32%).

Teratospermai: Low percentage of morphologically normal sperm cell (less than 4%).

Oligoasthenoteratospermia (ΟΑT): Combination of low numbers, low motility and poor morphology. This is one of the most common disorders.

Azoospermia: Complete absence of sperm cell in the ejaculate.

Aspermia: Lack of ejaculation.