Fertile, healthy sperm are defined not just by the number of sperm (or count), but also by sperm concentration, by sperm motility (movement and speed), and by healthy morphology (sperm shape and size). We know roughly 40-50% of all infertility issues can be attributed to the male and, for the most part, infertility issues are easier to diagnose for the male partner.
For this reason, it is always recommended for the man to get tested to measure these parameters to see if any problems exist. Infections are a common cause of low sperm count and often times simple antibiotics can help alleviate issues impacting fertility. There are a number of other issues such as varicoceles (enlarged veins) or clogged ducts which can be easily diagnosed by a specialist.
Sperm count is generally a measurement of sperm concentration in the ejaculate. Anything under 20 million per milliliter would be considered low with the average somewhere around 60 million. Of interesting note is that sperm counts have been decreasing at a significant rate of the past few decades (some say as high as 2% per year!)
Sperm motility is defined as the ability of sperm to swim in a sustained, forward-moving manner. Healthy, motile sperm show an increased capacity to fertilize an egg and initiate a pregnancy, while non-motile or abnormally-motile sperm will not, under most circumstances, be able to cause fertilization. In evaluating sperm function in humans, “total normal sperm motility” is a fundamental parameter for determining male fertility health.
Scientific literature suggests that antioxidants can improve male fertility by reducing oxidative stress and damage to spermatozoa, while supporting fundamental protective functions of the seminal plasma which insulate and nourish sperm. In independent studies, antioxidants reduce “free-radical” damage, in particular to the sperm’s DNA or genetic material, resulting in better pregnancy outcomes.
Research on the amino acid, l-carnitine, yields similarly impressive findings: L-carnitine supports “sperm metabolism”, or the ability for sperm to break down complex molecules to produce energy. L-carnitine has been shown in a number of clinical studies to enhance several fundamental sperm parameters, including sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology.
Of course proper lifestyle and diet play an important role in maintaining healthy sperm parameters as well. Being overweight, drinking or smoking can negatively impact your conception efforts. Supplementing your diet with additional vitamins and minerals is always recommended.
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