Sperm Health

“If you have no sperm, you’re not going to be able to conceive,” The fear can be an analogous to the albatross hanging around the neck of the person who is amidst quite a few dilemmas regarding the sperm and its quality. According to a research, one should have a minimum of 5 million sperm counts.

What are the similarities between tight underwear, alcohol and hot tubs? They all have a negative effect on sperm counts and sperm potency. Drinking, Smoking, lack of exercise, taking drugs, stress, poor nutrition, and of course tight under wears have been proved to decline the quality of sperm count.

Among the factors that may affect the sperm quality could be summarized in 6 main points. They include sperm mobility, concentration, morphology, speed, count and last but not the least sub fertility. A weakness in any of these areas can affect the chances of conception.

Mobility
Sperm mobility describes the sperm’s ability to move in a rather dynamic and active fashion. In a healthy sperm, more than 50% of them can be accounted as active with over 25% of them moving vehemently in one direction. Its importance can be understood by the fact that it enables the sperm to travel through the cervical canal, into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and, finally penetrates the egg.

Concentration
Concentration is the measure of the number of sperm cells in a ml. of semen. Normal concentration is around 22 million sperm cells per ml. of semen.

Morphology
A healthy sperm cell resembles a tadpole in its shape. The sperm’s oval head contains the genetic material; the center provides energy and the tail thrusts the sperm forward. Furthermore, experts believe that abnormally shaped sperm cannot fertilize an egg.

Speed
According to the WHO, in a healthy male, greater than 25% of sperm will exhibit progressive mobility. It is thought that these are the sperm with the best chance of successfully fertilizing an egg.

Count
It refers to the number of sperms in the fluid that is ejaculated. There are a good over 50 million sperms in a normal ejaculation. A total count below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.

Sub fertility
Sub fertility, refers to the couples who are unable to achieve conception even after a year’s period of unprotected intercourse. It is different from infertility.

Causes of male sub fertility

• Sperm production problems
• Blockages in the sperm’s delivery system
• Injuries to the testicles
• Low or high hormone production
• Anatomical problems
• Varicocele (varicose veins around the testicle)
• Past illnesses/ infections/ various diseases
• Certain medications
• Sperm quality

Statistics

# Male factors accumulate for over 40 percent for sub fertility. Female-related factors account for another 40 percent and a combination of male- and female-related factors account for about 20 percent.

# 1 out of every dozen couples has sub fertility.