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Fertility Glossary

Sperm count

The total number of sperm in the whole ejaculate.

Male fertility

The total sperm count is the concentration multiplied by the semen volume, giving the number of sperm in the entire sample. It is often a more meaningful figure than concentration alone, because a large-volume sample can dilute the concentration while still containing plenty of sperm.

Also known as: total sperm count, total sperm number

Sources

  • WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

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