Good sperm quality depends on several factors, primarily relating to quantity, motility (movement), and morphology (shape).
Here's a breakdown of what constitutes good sperm quality:
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Quantity (Sperm Count): Fertility is more likely when the semen contains a sufficient number of sperm. A healthy sperm count is generally considered to be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Lower counts can make conception more difficult.
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Motility (Movement): Sperm need to be able to swim effectively to reach and fertilize an egg. Good motility means a significant percentage of sperm are moving and swimming in a progressive, forward direction. Ideally, at least 40% of the sperm should be motile, with at least 32% showing progressive motility.
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Morphology (Shape): The shape of the sperm affects its ability to swim and penetrate the egg. While a high percentage of abnormally shaped sperm is common, a sample should contain a reasonable number of sperm with normal morphology. There isn't a universally agreed upon "normal" percentage. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria considers at least 4% normal forms as adequate.
In summary, good sperm quality is characterized by:
- High sperm count (at least 15 million/mL).
- Good motility (at least 40% motile with 32% progressive motility).
- Acceptable morphology (at least 4% normal forms according to WHO criteria).
It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and fertility can still be achieved even with sperm parameters that fall slightly outside of these ranges. A semen analysis, performed by a qualified laboratory, is essential for accurately assessing sperm quality.
