Low sperm count and certain sperm parameters
Date:2018-12-06 click:0
What is a low sperm count?
Anything that falls below a sperm count of more than 20 million per millilitre is considered a low sperm count, (or "oligospermia").Although a low sperm count makes a man less fertile, many of these men can still go on to father a child.
What should the normal sperm be?
A sperm count measures the total number of viable sperm in a certain volume of a man's semen. Lots of sperm are needed for there to be a reasonable chance of any sperm reaching and fertilising an egg. But while a good sperm count is vital, certain sperm parameters are also important. Sperm must have a normal shape and have good speed and endurance. In a "normal" sample:
At least 75 per cent of sperm need to be alive should be alive (it's common for up to a quarter of them to be dead).
At least 30 per cent need to have a normal shape and form.
At least 50 per cent should be swimming forward.
What causes a low sperm count?
Scientists who claim that sperm count and quality has reduced in the general population, believe that environmental and lifestyle changes over the past five decades have been detrimental to sperm production.
Factors such as:
Chemicals in the environment.
Smoking cigarettes.
Poor modern diet.
Estrogen in milk supply.
Other studies show a link between a male's early testicular development in the womb and low sperm count. For example, a man whose mother smoked during pregnancy or was exposed to toxic chemicals during pregnancy may have lower sperm count. Although these studies are compelling, there hasn't been enough strong evidence to prove them conclusively.
Of course, low sperm count can also occur as a result of medical or health problems such as dysfunction of the glands that produce the hormones responsible for sperm production; problems with the reproductive organs; and health and medical issues such as STI's and sperm duct defects.
