SPERM CULTURE: WHAT IT CAN REVEAL ABOUT MALE FERTILITY

17 April 20252′ read4 sections

CONTENTS

WHAT IS A SEMEN CULTURE?
WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT MALE FERTILITY?
WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE A SEMEN CULTURE?
PERSONALISED CARE AT OUR CENTRE

Male fertility is influenced by many factors, and one key test that can provide important information is the semen culture. It is a diagnostic procedure that helps identify infections or inflammation in the reproductive system, which may affect sperm quality and the ability to conceive.

At the Dr. Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine, semen analysis is one of the key steps in investigating male fertility, with the aim of providing personalised solutions for every couple who wishes to have a child.

WHAT IS A SEMEN CULTURE?

A semen culture is a microbiological test that analyses the presence of microorganisms in the semen, detecting possible bacterial or fungal infections that may be causing infertility.

During the procedure:

A semen sample is collected in a sterile container.
The sample is incubated in special culture media to determine whether bacteria grow.
If microorganisms are detected, an antibiogram is performed to determine the appropriate treatment.

WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT MALE FERTILITY?

The presence of microbes in the semen can affect its fertilising capacity, as the resulting inflammation may:

✔ Reduce sperm count and motility
✔ Cause sperm DNA damage
✔ Affect normal sperm morphology
✔ Cause dysfunction of the testes and the excretory ducts

The detection of pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma and Chlamydia may indicate chronic prostatitis or other inflammatory conditions that adversely affect fertility.

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE A SEMEN CULTURE?

This test is recommended for men who have:

Fertility problems, with low sperm motility or count on the semen analysis.
Symptoms of urogenital infection, such as pain or a burning sensation when urinating.
Chronic inflammation of the prostate or testes (prostatitis, epididymitis).
A partner with recurrent miscarriages, which may be linked to infected semen.

Early diagnosis and treatment of an infection can significantly improve fertility and increase the chances of a successful conception.

PERSONALISED CARE AT OUR CENTRE

At the Dr. Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine, every case is assessed individually so that the right solutions can be offered. With the help of specialised tests, we can identify possible problems and recommend targeted treatments to improve male fertility.

📍 If you are facing fertility problems or would like to check the health of your sperm, contact us for a specialist assessment.

TAGSreproductive medicine centremale fertilitysemen analysis

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

WHAT IS A SEMEN CULTURE?

WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT MALE FERTILITY?

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE A SEMEN CULTURE?

PERSONALISED CARE AT OUR CENTRE

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?