Text before image

Read on to learn more about sperm quality and how Cryos tests sperm in our&nbsp;laboratory.&nbsp;
<h2>What is good sperm quality?&nbsp;</h2>
Sperm quality is defined as the ability of spermatozoa to&nbsp;fertilise&nbsp;an egg. In general, the greater the number of normal sperm cells&nbsp;with good motility that are present, the greater the chances of making a female pregnant. A normal sperm count is more than 15 million sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;per&nbsp;millimetre. However, top-quality sperm can have a sperm count of more than 200 million sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;per&nbsp;millimetre. It is also generally accepted that for sperm to be considered of good quality, more than 40% of the sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;must be living and moving.&nbsp;
<h2>Donor sperm &ndash; how we test it&nbsp;</h2>
If you want to be a sperm donor, you must start by providing one or two sperm samples&nbsp;in our department in Nicosia. As a sperm donor, it is very important that you have good sperm quality so that the receiver of your sperm has the best possible chances of becoming pregnant.&nbsp;
We examine sperm quality by placing a drop of sperm in a counting chamber. We then&nbsp;analyse&nbsp;the sperm using a microscope, checking among other things, sperm count per&nbsp;millimetre, the number of spermatozoa that move, the degree of movement and the sperm sample&rsquo;s total amount in&nbsp;millimetres.&nbsp;

Cryos laboratory worker testing quality of a sperm sample

&nbsp;&nbsp;

Image

Text after image

In addition, it is also important that spermatozoa can survive being frozen. They must be able to survive at temperatures as low as minus 196 &deg;C in a&nbsp;cryo&nbsp;tank, where they are stored. The ability of&nbsp;the sperm cells&nbsp;to survive freezing varies from man to man. Some men produce sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;that cannot tolerate freezing while some men produce sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;that retain good quality after freezing and thawing &ndash; and these men&nbsp;can become&nbsp;sperm donors.&nbsp;
<a class="button button--blue" href="/en-gb/cy-shop/donor/apply/sperm-donor-application/">Apply here</a>
<h2>Reduced sperm quality&nbsp;</h2>
There are several parameters that can indicate that a man has reduced sperm quality. In general, if a man has a sperm count of fewer than 15 million sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;per&nbsp;millilitre&nbsp;and if&nbsp;less than 40% of the sperm&nbsp;cells&nbsp;are alive and moving, he has reduced sperm quality.&nbsp;
There can be many different reasons for why a man has reduced sperm quality, for example, age, illness, medical treatment (e.g. chemotherapy) and above all, lifestyle. Click here to get some tips &nbsp;<a title="How to have top-quality sperm" href="/en-gb/cy-shop/donor/becoming-a-sperm-donor/what-is-good-sperm-quality/how-to-have-top-quality-sperm/">about how you can personally improve your sperm quality</a>. &nbsp;
<h2>Sperm quality varies&nbsp;</h2>
The male body constantly produces new sperm, and therefore your sperm quality can change over time. Most men will experience shorter or longer periods where their sperm quality is good or less good. It is&nbsp;absolutely normal&nbsp;and can be due to, for example, temporary illness or stress.&nbsp;

What is good sperm quality

Headline

Sperm quality can be measured in different ways. For example, measuring sperm count or looking at the&nbsp;sperm cells&rsquo;&nbsp;ability&nbsp;to move.&nbsp;