| 1. |
The concentration of spermatozoa should be at least 20 million per ml. |
| 2. |
The total volume of semen should be at least 2ml. |
| 3. |
The total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate should be at least 40 million. |
| 4. |
At least 75 per cent of the spermatozoa should be alive (it is normal for up to 25 per cent to be dead). |
| 5. |
At least 30 per cent of the spermatozoa should be of normal shape and form. |
| 6. |
At least 25 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming with rapid forward movement. |
| 7. |
At least 50 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming forward, even if only sluggishly. |
| 8. |
At least 60% of sperm should be normally shaped, but up to 96% abnormally shaped still is considered viable for natural birth. Any more than this is considered to be a candidate for ICSI |