What is Sperm Morphology & How Does it Affect Fertility?
Reviewed By: Dr. Prachee Kulkarni, fertility specialist at Ferty9 Fertility Clinic, Kukatpally, Hyderabad
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for the couples. But for some, there might be some hardships along the way. If you are facing difficulty in a successful pregnancy, both partners need to undergo a checkup. It helps understand the current health status of males and females and detect the underlying issues.
When it comes to the male partner, one of the factors in semen analysis is checking sperm morphology.. The evaluation of male fertility involves assessing the shape and size of the sperm or checking the number of structurally normal sperms. The structure of the sperm and its different parts play a crucial role in determining male fertility.
An Andrologist performs the morphology check of sperms on a prepared slide of semen under a microscope. When the semen is observed under a microscope, the doctor analyses whether sperm morphology is in the normal range.
Through this blog, you will get a better understanding of normal sperm morphology and its effect on fertility.
Suggested Read: How to increase sperm count and motility
What is Sperm Morphology?
A sperm must be of a specific shape each having a specific function to move swiftly through the female and lead to fertilization. According to scientific studies, there are in every ejaculation. Several are irregularly shaped, which is. All that is needed is just one sperm for successful fertility. In simple words, you just require a single to achieve a successful pregnancy.
If a couple is facing trouble in getting pregnant, a basic analysis is conducted to find out morphology. The healthy morphology requires an oval head, a midpiece, and a tail. In case the head is not of a proper shape or the tail is missing, it is counted. These attributes affect the sperm’s ability to reach the egg in the fallopian tube and fertilization.
There’s no cause for worry for abnormal sperm morphology, as usually the sperm count is high. The normal range is merely 4% to 10%.
Let’s get into a deeper understanding of it
Suggested read: How the First IVF Baby Changed Perceptions of Infertility
Sperm Morphology Range
Both fertile and infertile males have different abnormal sperm morphology ranges. This can be due to various factors, including toxic chemical exposure, testicular temperature, ongoing infection, or a genetic trait.
The range is as follows:
- The normal percentage of sperm morphology is between 4% and 14%. These many accurately sized and shaped sperms are good enough to give a successful pregnancy.
- If the morphology range is over 14%, the fertility chances are extremely high.
- In case it is lower than 4%, it is an abnormal range. This means that it might take longer to achieve a pregnancy.
- To identify the cause of abnormal range and find out the right solutions, it is important to consult your doctor.
There are a few common reasons for an abnormal sperm morphology range.
Suggested Read: Treatment for Teratozoospermia
Reasons for Abnormal Sperm Morphology
The reasons for having more morphologically abnormal sperms can depend from person to person.
- Infection: If an infection is not treated properly, the sperm quality and structure can be affected.
- Testicular Temperature: If the testicles are exposed to intense heat, the chances of abnormal sperm morphology increase.
- Chemical Exposure: When men are continuously exposed to chemicals such as pesticides or other organophosphorus compounds due to their work or home environment, the chances of an abnormal morphology increase.
- Genetics: This problem can be genetic as well. Till the time someone doesn’t get their semen analysis, it will simply go unnoticed.
Types of Abnormal Sperm Morphology
To understand how sperm morphology differs and affects fertility, it is important to learn its types. Abnormal sperm can look like the following:
Macrocephaly
This sperm is when it has a giant head and carries extra chromosomes. This leads to problems in fertilization. The condition can be passed down as a genetic disorder.
Microcephaly
This is when the size of the sperm’s head is smaller and contains a defective acrosome. Reduced genetic material can also be found here.
Pinhead Sperm
This sperm is a variation of microcephaly when the head looks like a pin. Generally, there is a lack of DNA content, and it may be related to diabetic issues.
Tapered Head Sperm
The sperm has a head that looks like a cigar. It indicates that there might be varicocele present This is generally a cause of constant Thin Narrow Head Sperm
In this situation, the sperm head looks like an extreme version of a tapered head. It can be a broken DNA, disrupted head formation, or varicocele.
Globozoospermia
This is a condition in which the sperm head is round, indicating that the acrosome is missing. It can also be a sign that the sperm lacks the inner parts responsible for the egg for fertilization.
Headless Sperm
As the name suggests, the sperm doesn’t have a head. Often known as the decapitated or acephalic sperm syndrome, it lacks chromosomes.
Tail-less Sperm
This sperm, also known as acaudate sperm, is visible in necrosis, which occurs when all or most of the cells die within an organ.
Nuclear Vacuoles within Sperm
This is when two or more large cyst-shaped bubbles are found or several small bubbles are present in the sperm head. They are easily visible under the microscope and have a low fertility potential.
Multiple Parts
In this scenario, a sperm has multiple heads or tails. In case there are two heads, it is known as a duplicate sperm. This condition is linked to toxin exposure like smoke, caesium, and high prolactin.
Large Swollen Midpiece
midpiece also known as sperm neck is swollen in this condition. It is related to defective mitochondria affecting the energy of the sperms. It can also be a sign of broken or missing centrioles affecting sperm chromosomal movement at fertilization Coiled-tail Sperm
This condition occurs when the sperm is exposed to bacterial infection or incorrect content of the seminal fluid. The sperm tail is damaged and, thus, cannot swim. One of the most common reasons for coiled tail is heavy smoking.
Stump Tail Sperm
When sperms have a short tail with minimal or no motility, the condition is known as a stump tail. This is a rare abnormality and may have genetic reasons where the final stages of spermiogenesis are affected.
In all these circumstances, getting pregnant is a delayed process. But there is no need to lose hope just yet. There are ways to improve sperm morphology naturally.
How to Improve Sperm Morphology
A male body consistently produces sperm. With growing age, the health of these sperms depreciates. It is observed that in most men above 40, sperm production drops. In case there is a high percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms can use the following tips:
Adopt a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is your weight or the sperm morphology, the right nutrition can improve everything within your body. Switch from junk meals and carbonated drinks to lots of fruits, vegetables, and water. These changes will be helpful in the reduction of sperm head defects Manage Stress
Chronic stress is known to affect sperm morphology In case your body has a high level of cortisol (stress hormone), it can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones. This leads to compromised sperm quality. Switch to stress management techniques like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, meditation, physical activity, and adequate sleep. These simple modifications in your lifestyle can bring big changes in fertility Avoid Exposure to Toxins
If you are frequently exposed to chemical toxins like heavy metals and pesticides, it can adversely affect normal sperm morphology. Chemicals often found in household products and plastic can also be responsible for it. So, you must stay away from such toxins, especially when you are trying for pregnancy. Along with that, if you smoke or drink, it is important to quit these habits for better sperm quality Eating Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are well-known to neutralize free radicals in your body. These radicals are responsible for damaging healthy cells, including sperm cells. When you start an antioxidant-rich diet, your sperm morphology can improve significantly.
- Add fruits like grapes, berries, and oranges to your diet.
- Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and kale.
- Legumes like pulses and beans.
- Nuts like almonds and walnuts are also good additions to your diet.
They support healthy sperm production and thus can improve sperm morphology
Conclusion
It takes approximately three months for the new sperm to develop in the testis, mature and be present in the semen, when you make positive changes in your life, it will take some time for the results to be seen as a man’s age increases, his quality of sperm starts compromising. That’s why some physicians might also suggest you freeze your sperm in case you are not planning a pregnancy at a younger age. This helps to ensure that the sperm morphology is normal when you begin your family at an older age. For more information, you can always consult your doctor.
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