Semen Evaluation

Evaluation Parameters
Physical/macroscopic
Volume
Color
Consistency and
cloudiness
Specific gravity
pH

Microscopic

Motility of sperm
Concentration
Live-dead %
Morphological
abnormalities
Hypo-osmotic swelling
assay
NAR

Ejaculate Volume
Measured in milliliters
Used Graduated test tube

Color of Semen
NORMAL
Bull: creamy white
Ram and buck:
creamy white and
thick
Boar: milky
Stallion: Grayish
white and thin
10% bulls produce yellow color semen due to riboflavin secreted
by accessory gland and lipochrome from epithelium of ampulla

ABNORMAL
Yellow (Pus and Urine)
Pinkish and reddish
(Blood)
Deep red and brown
(Degenerative blood
tissue)
Greenish (purulent
degeneration)

Consistency/cloudiness

Thick creamy = Excellent

Thin creamy = Very Good
Thin milky = Good
Thin milky = Fair
Watery = Poor

 Specific gravity
Whole semen bull =1.035
Low sperm no. = low specific gravity

pH
Range 7.2-8.0
Acidic pH indicate blockage of seminal vesicle
Basic pH = infection/decrease the prostate
secretion

Measurement by pH meter/pH paper

Microscopic
Motility
Mass motility
Individual/percentage motility

Mass motility
Observation of semen on the warm slide
under low magnification
Rating on swirling currents

0 = No motility
(+) = less than 20% sperm progressive
motion
(++) = 40-60% motile sperm slow wave
(+++) = 60-80% motile with more intense
wave
(++++) = 80-100% motile sperm rapid wave

 Individual motility
Observation of semen drop on warm slide
with dilution of normal saline
Expressed in percent moving cells
Range in fresh ejaculates: 0 to 80%

Sperm concentration
Number of cells per volume/unit volume