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Question
04 Apr 2006
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morphology - only 1% normal
Please help, my husband went for a semen analysis last year July. (We've been trying to conceive since March last year). He had 15 million sperm per ml (within normal). His morphology, however, showed only 1% normal forms. Now, 9 months later, he went for another test and his sperm count had increased to 52,4 million per ml (fabulous) I think this may have been because he has been on multivitamins, zinc, etc. and following a healthier lifestyle. BUT, his morphology STILL only shows 1% normal forms. And apparently, he should have atleast 14% normal forms. This is really worrying. I've been through 14 cycles without and still no pregnancy. My cycles are always 28-29 days. Is it absolutely imperative that he has more normal sperm forms? Can't the 1% get to the egg cell? His motility shows within normal at 60%. Everything, in fact, is within the norms except the morphology. Is there anything he can take to improve the morphology? Are we doomed to have to go through IVF or some costly and difficult procedure to have a baby?
Fertility expert
Dear Lals
The percentage morphology is by far the most important single parameter in a spermiogram, which may predict the possibility of conception. Morphology of 1% is an indication for ICSI (Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection) and this is independent of the quantity of sperm at any particular time. It is unfortunate that the 99% of abnormal sperm impedes and disrupts the functional capacity of the 1% normal forms and therefore the need for assisted reproduction with ICSI. Unfortunately there is not much which can be done to significantly improve the low percentage morphology.
The percentage morphology is by far the most important single parameter in a spermiogram, which may predict the possibility of conception. Morphology of 1% is an indication for ICSI (Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection) and this is independent of the quantity of sperm at any particular time. It is unfortunate that the 99% of abnormal sperm impedes and disrupts the functional capacity of the 1% normal forms and therefore the need for assisted reproduction with ICSI. Unfortunately there is not much which can be done to significantly improve the low percentage morphology.
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