Last updated: 9 October 2026
A semen analysis is usually the first test for the male partner, and the report can be confusing: several numbers, unfamiliar terms and a column of reference values. This guide explains the semen analysis normal range used by most laboratories, which is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual, sixth edition (2021). It covers what each parameter measures, how to read a semen analysis report line by line, and why a single result outside the range is a reason for review rather than a diagnosis.
Why semen analysis belongs at the start of assessment
Fertility assessment is most efficient when both partners are investigated together. The UK's NICE guideline recommends that when a couple has not conceived after a year of regular unprotected intercourse, both partners are offered clinical assessment, and earlier assessment is appropriate where there is a known risk factor. A semen analysis is non-invasive and can redirect the plan early, for example towards IVF with ICSI rather than repeated cycles of a treatment that cannot address the underlying problem. Our article on when to see a fertility specialist explains the timing.
Preparing for the test
A well-collected sample gives a more reliable result. Your laboratory will give specific instructions; the general principles are:
- Abstinence: the WHO manual recommends a period of sexual abstinence of between two and seven days before the sample is produced.
- Complete collection: collect the whole sample in the sterile container provided. The first part of the ejaculate is the most sperm-rich, so losing any of it can lower the result.
- No ordinary lubricants or condoms, which can affect sperm.
- Timing and temperature: if you are permitted to collect away from the laboratory, ask how quickly the sample must arrive and how to keep it close to body temperature.
- Recent illness: tell the laboratory about any fever or significant illness in the previous few months, or any new medicines, because these can temporarily affect results.
Semen analysis normal range: WHO 2021 reference values
The values below are the lower reference limits published in the WHO manual (sixth edition) and listed in NICE's 2026 guideline. They represent the 5th centile of results from men whose partners conceived within a year. In other words, 95% of these fertile men had results at or above each value.
| Parameter | Lower reference limit (WHO 2021) |
|---|---|
| Semen volume | 1.4 mL |
| pH | 7.2 or more |
| Sperm concentration | 16 million per mL |
| Total sperm number | 39 million per ejaculate |
| Total motility (progressive + non-progressive) | 42% |
| Progressive motility | 30% |
| Vitality (live sperm) | 54% |
| Normal forms (morphology) | 4% |
How to read these numbers. These are reference limits, not pass-or-fail cut-offs. The WHO manual states that they cannot be used to separate fertile from subfertile men. A result slightly below a limit does not mean conception is impossible, and a result above every limit does not guarantee fertility. Interpretation always takes account of the whole picture for both partners.
How to read a semen analysis report, line by line
Volume and pH
Volume is the amount of semen produced. A low volume can result from an incomplete collection, a short abstinence period or, less commonly, a blockage or a problem with the glands that contribute seminal fluid. pH reflects the balance of these secretions; a low pH together with low volume may prompt further assessment.
Liquefaction and viscosity
Semen is thick when produced and normally becomes more liquid within a short time at body temperature. The report may note whether liquefaction was complete and whether viscosity was normal. Persistent abnormalities are interpreted by the specialist alongside the other results.
Concentration and total sperm number
Concentration is the number of sperm in each millilitre. Total sperm number multiplies concentration by volume and describes the whole sample. Both appear on many reports, and the total sperm count normal range is often more informative than concentration alone, because a large volume can dilute an otherwise adequate number.
Motility
Motility describes movement. Reports usually separate progressive motility (sperm moving actively forward), non-progressive motility (moving without forward progress) and immotile sperm. Normal sperm motility is assessed against the total and progressive reference values in the table above; progressive motility is particularly relevant to IUI.
Morphology
Morphology is the percentage of sperm with a normal shape under strict criteria. Because the criteria are strict, even fertile men usually have a low percentage of perfectly formed sperm, which is why the lower reference limit is 4%. A result just below this value is common and is interpreted alongside count and motility.
Vitality, white cells and antibodies
Vitality testing distinguishes non-moving sperm that are alive from those that are not, and it is most useful when motility is very low. The report may also note round cells or white blood cells, which can point to inflammation or infection and may lead to further tests. NICE advises against routine testing for antisperm antibodies.
Terms you may see on your report
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Normozoospermia | All main parameters at or above the reference limits |
| Oligozoospermia | Total sperm number or concentration below the reference limit |
| Asthenozoospermia | Motility below the reference limit |
| Teratozoospermia | Normal forms below the reference limit |
| Cryptozoospermia | Very few sperm, found only after the sample is concentrated |
| Azoospermia | No sperm found in the ejaculate, confirmed on a centrifuged sample |
| Aspermia | No ejaculate produced |
One result is not a diagnosis
Sperm take roughly two to three months to develop, so a result reflects health during that earlier period. A fever, a viral illness or certain medicines can temporarily lower the numbers. NICE recommends a repeat confirmatory test if the first result is abnormal, ideally about three months later to allow a full cycle of sperm formation, and sooner if no sperm or very few sperm are found. Decisions should rest on more than one sample.
What happens after an abnormal result
- Clinical review and examination. NICE (2026) advises that men with two or more abnormal analyses are offered a physical examination and considered for measurement of testosterone and gonadotrophin hormone levels.
- Genetic tests in specific situations, such as Y-chromosome microdeletion testing where no sperm or fewer than one million sperm per mL are found without an identified cause.
- Treatment routes that depend on the findings: addressing reversible factors, IUI where motile sperm numbers are adequate, IVF with ICSI where they are significantly reduced, and surgical sperm retrieval where there is no sperm in the ejaculate. See male fertility care and IUI vs IVF vs ICSI.
- Sperm DNA fragmentation testing is offered by some clinics. NICE's 2026 guideline recommends against carrying out this test, while other bodies take different views. Ask your specialist whether it would change your plan before deciding.
Lifestyle factors with reasonable evidence
NICE's guidance on factors affecting fertility notes that excessive alcohol intake is detrimental to semen quality, that smoking is associated with reduced semen quality, and that men with a body mass index of 30 or more have an increased risk of reduced fertility. Practical steps that are sensible for most men include:
- Stopping smoking and chewing tobacco
- Keeping alcohol within low-risk limits and avoiding binge drinking
- Working towards a healthy weight
- Avoiding anabolic steroids, and reviewing any testosterone treatment with a doctor, because these can suppress sperm production
- Allowing about three months for any change to be reflected in a repeat test
A word on how results feel
An unexpected result can be difficult to hear, and men are sometimes given less explanation than their partners. You are entitled to the same level of detail: what each value means, whether it needs repeating, and how it affects the options available. Many male-factor problems can be managed or bypassed with appropriate treatment, and the first step is a careful interpretation of the full report.
Semen analysis review at our Kompally centre
At Sree Nandaka IVF Centre in Kompally, the male partner's assessment is part of evaluating both partners together. Semen analysis reports are reviewed by our fertility specialists, including Dr. Deepa Rekha Koduru, Fertility Specialist (MBBS, DGO, DRM, MRM; Reg. No. 54076), and explained in private. If you live in or near Kompally, Suchitra, Alwal or Medchal and would like a report explained, see our male fertility page or contact the centre using the details below. You can meet our clinicians and embryologists on the team page.
Frequently asked questions
On the WHO 2021 reference values, the lower reference limit for sperm concentration is 16 million per mL, and for total sperm number it is 39 million per ejaculate. These are reference limits rather than strict cut-offs, so results should be interpreted by a specialist alongside motility, morphology and your partner's assessment.
No. Under strict criteria, the WHO lower reference limit for normal forms is 4%, and many fertile men have percentages in single figures. Morphology is interpreted together with count and motility rather than on its own.
The WHO manual recommends between two and seven days of sexual abstinence. Your laboratory will confirm its own instructions when you book.
No. Results vary from sample to sample and can be affected by recent illness. NICE recommends repeating an abnormal test, ideally about three months later, before conclusions are drawn. A specialist will interpret the results in the context of both partners.
It depends on the degree and on the other results. Mild reductions may still allow IUI if enough motile sperm are recovered after preparation, while significant reductions usually lead to IVF with ICSI. Your specialist will explain the options after reviewing a repeat analysis.
Some laboratories accept samples collected at home if they arrive within a set time and are kept close to body temperature. Ask the centre when booking whether this is possible and how the sample should be transported.
Book a consultation at our Kompally centre
Sree Nandaka IVF Centre, Plot 770, Jayabheri Park, behind Big Bazaar, Kompally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500014.
- Call +91 76720 01080
- Message us on WhatsApp +91 76720 01080 or email sreenandakafertility@gmail.com
- Book a visit online, or see contact details and directions
- Hours: Mon–Sat 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sunday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Please note. This article is general information, not medical advice and not a price list. What is appropriate for you depends on your history, your investigations and a specialist assessment. No fertility treatment can guarantee a pregnancy.
Sources
- WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition (2021)
- NICE guideline NG257 (2026): Investigation of fertility problems — semen analysis reference values and repeat testing
- NICE guideline NG257 (2026): Defining infertility and initial assessment
- NICE guideline NG257 (2026): Advice about factors that can affect fertility
- Campbell MJ, et al. Distribution of semen examination results 2020. Andrology 2021;9(3):817–822
Written by the Sree Nandaka IVF Centre editorial team, Kompally. General information only — not a substitute for a consultation.
