Semen Morphology: What Is It and How Does It Affect Fertility?

What is semen morphology?

semen

As a recent patient of your doctor, you may have more unanswered questions: What precisely does this entail for my health? Is this going to impair my ability to conceive? And What is semen? 

The semen’s morphology pertains to its appearance under a microscope. The study, it examines how the semen head is created and how large it is. The semen’s capacity to disintegrate the egg’s exterior surfaces & fertilize it is affected by the form of the head.

Morphology ranges for male semen

The morphological ranges indicate the percentage of normal semen shape and size. The proportion of semen that are capable of fertilizing an egg is a good indicator of how likely you are to conceive with your spouse. Based on the parameters utilized to evaluate the semen, the amounts will vary. When requirements are more stringent, the normal range is narrower. 

For more information on the potential impact on your ability to conceive, consult a doctor about where you fall within that range. The Kruger morphology we employ indicates that a percentage of 14 % on average is considered normal, as per Dr. Jane Frederick, a renowned board-certified fertility specialist in Orange County. Fewer than 5 % is considered a “low fertility potential,” whereas 10-14 % is also a “high fertility potential.”

Understand the link between semen structure and fertility

Fertility can be affected by semen morphology since they must be in a specific form to reach an egg. Morphology is merely one of a number of elements that influence fertility. The amount of semen and the ease with which they migrate also will be examined by your doctor.

How can the infertility of a man be determined? 

A normal semen analysis is a popular test to determine whether or not a guy is fertile. The semen & semen are analyzed using this method (the fluid in which the semen is contained). The semen concentration, motility, appearance, & amount of fluid are by far the most essential of these factors, which are measured in the percentage of moving semen, semen morphology, & volume.

Categories of semen morphology –

  • semen with a normal form 

An oval-shaped head, unbroken midpiece, & uncoiling single tail are all characteristics of typical semen. semen that has a typical shape is able to move straight & smoothly. In addition to having a normal number of chromosomes, normal semen will have a normal number of chromosomes, which would be prevalent in improperly shaped semen. 

  • A macrocephaly semen 

semen with a large head is known as macrocephaly. It is common for this semen to contain additional chromosomes or to have difficulty fertilizing the egg of a female. The chromo kinases C genes may be the origin of macrocephalic semen. As a result, dads may be capable of passing this type of semen defect on to future children. 

  • semen with little heads 

semen with microcephaly, or “small-head semen,” has smaller heads versus normal. There may be less genetic content or a faulty acrosome in small-headed semen, both of which might impair semen entry into the egg. 

  • Pinhead semen 

The small-head semen variant known as pinhead semen has a pin-shaped head and contains little or no paternal DNA. The presence of pinhead semen could identify a diabetic state. 

  • semen with a slender beak

“Cigar-shaped” head may suggest the existence of varicocele or regular exposure to heavy temperature areas such as hot saunas in a male. This semen has defective chromatin or packing of the father’s human DNA, which is typically found in tapered head semen. Tapered-head semen has been found to have chromosomal abnormalities or an abnormally high number of semen chromosomes. 

  • Thin semen heads 

Curved head semen is an extreme form of “thin narrow” head semen with diseases that appear to be distinct from those of tapered-headed semen. It is rare to find semen with a thin head due to DNA damage, varicocele, or other issues during the development of the semen’s head. 

  • Decompressing semen in the skull 

The Decondensing head semen is a form of this type of semen that occurs when the semen nucleus breaks down prematurely as well, as the unwinding DNA information fills the whole semen head. 

  • semen without ahead 

A condition known as “decapitated semen syndrome” or “acephalic semen” refers to semen that have no heads at all. They don’t have any chromosomes or genetic material. Despite its appearance, the semen does not have a microscopic semen head, giving it the impression of a loose length of the string when examined closely. 

  • semen with no tails 

Necrosis, the loss of the majority or even all of the tissues of an organ, can reveal semen without a tail, known as acaudate semen.

In what way is the morphology of an organism evaluated? 

The percentage of improperly shaped semen is determined by inspecting the specimens under a microscope & recording the results. Quite so many as half of the semen in a “normal” sample taken are unusually shaped. This one is crucial to know. 

So, Why Does semen Leak After Intercourse? The morphology of semen is evaluated using one of two sets of criteria. There is a strictness to the Kruger criteria, which considers even the tiniest of deviations odd. There is fewer semen that is classified as abnormal under WHO criteria because they are more forgiving. 

There are some circumstances in which the physical characteristics of an embryo determine whether or not a couple must use IVF in order to have a baby. For the most accurate assessment of semen morphology, it’s preferable to speak with your doctor directly.

What is the typical size of semen? 

Normal semen features: 

  • Small, oval-shaped head with a length of 5.5-6 micrometres & width of 2.5-3 μm in diameter (less than the size of a needlepoint) 
  • 40 to 70 % of a semen head is covered by a well-defined covering (acrosome). 
  • The neck, midpiece, and tail appear normal. 
  • In the semen head, there are no aqueous droplets larger than half its semen head’s diameter. 

Is it possible for an egg to be fertilized by semen with an unusual shape? 

Definitely, however, several studies have found an association between infertility and placing a greater proportion of irregularly shaped semen. Poor semen count or velocity are often linked to improperly shaped semen, and vice versa is true in most cases. Can You Still Get Pregnant If the semen Comes Out? Getting pregnant may also be easy for men whose semen are shaped strangely. 

Is it more likely that my kid would be born with a genetic disorder if semen with an unusual shape fertilizes the egg? 

We don’t know for sure what’s going on. A semen’s genetic makeup has nothing to do with its form. Fertilization is most likely to occur once the semen has entered the egg. Even though semen shape variations can be hereditary, it’s possible that certain male babies will have semen morphology anomalies that are inherited from their dads. 

Why would the form of semen matter if it can fertilize the egg with an irregular shape? 

We don’t know why the form of the semen counts. semen having abnormally formed structures are more likely to have fertility issues, but we can’t be sure if this is due to the semen’s form itself or something else that leads the semen to be formed improperly while at the same time causing reproductive issues. 

If I want to improve the form of my semen, is there anything I can still do? 

Some studies have shown that smoke can affect fertility, although there is no definite link between aberrant semen morphology and the use of cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee. You must avoid smoking or using psychoactive substances even when you are trying to get pregnant, and you must restrict your alcohol usage. semen DNA (the stuff that carries the genes) may be negatively affected by certain drugs. Coffee drinking has not been found to alter semen in any significant way. Remember those semen alterations can take up to three months to manifest. Lastly, you should also know How to Clean Up After Sex.

Can Food supplements and vitamins help with morphology and fertility?

The morphology or fertility of semen can’t be improved by taking nutritional supplements or vitamins, as research has revealed. Do you know Healthy semen: Improving your fertility? Even though the efficacy of dietary vitamins and supplements for improving reproductive health has not been demonstrated, some experts recommend taking a multivitamin every day. 

Has IVF required if a person has a small head? 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) could be an option if the doctor determines that you do have tiny semen morphology. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a procedure in which your doctor takes semen from your partner’s semen and insert it straight into the eggs that were extracted. Embryos produced from the procedure are then implanted into the uterus of your spouse. Although this is an intrusive technique, it has been shown to be successful in preventing miscarriage. If both you and your partner feel ready to start a family, make an appointment with your doctor. 

Is it possible to alter the shape of semen? 

The young you are, the better the semen is likely to be. Some doctors advocate freezing your semen early in life so you’ll have the healthiest semen accessible when you’re prepared to start a family. That alternative is out of the question if you have already discovered that your semen morphological range is low. 

Changes in your food and lifestyle can have an effect on the health of the future semen, such as: 

  • Losing weight while engaging in regular physical activity and abstaining from harmful substances such as excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette usage, or the use of illegal drugs 
  • The normal morphology of semen may also be helped by some herbal remedies & vitamins. 

Is there anything else that could explain male fertility? 

As soon as you and your spouse have already been trying to have a baby, see your physician for a thorough examination. The morphology of the semen is just one of many probable explanations. 

Conditions that require medical attention

Obstacles to getting pregnant might include a wide range of medical issues. Fertility can be affected by conditions such as varicose veins, infection, & hormonal problems. Even if you have been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, it can play a role.

  • Concerns about the environment 

The semen’s fertility can also be harmed if you are subjected to pesticides or irradiation at work or home. 

  • Optional practices 

Even though you’re aware that smoking & abusing illicit substances are bad for your infertility, you may be surprised to learn that there are a number of other lifestyle decisions that can have a similar effect. 

Conclusion

Discuss the results with the doctor to determine whether they could alter your chances of getting pregnant with a new partner. Also, ask How Long Can semen Live Inside The Vagina After Intercourse? And if there are any lifestyle adjustments you can begin right now.