What Causes Abnormal Sperm Morphology?

Do you know what morphology is?

It is the term used to refer the size and shape of your sperm.

Sperm morphology is regularly conducted test as a part of standard semen analysis.

The World Health Organization says good quality semen should contain 60 percent normal sperm morphology.

That means that a semen sample can include up to 40 percent abnormal sperm and still be considered fine. If a person has more than 40 percent of abnormal cells, then this condition is called as teratospermia.

Every man produces some abnormal sperm, but the reason is not known. A normal man can produce 10 million to 50 million new sperm per day. Any lifestyle or eating habits can lead to abnormal sperm morphology.

The results of sperm morphology exam specify the percentage of sperm that look normal when the semen is observed under the microscope. If the test results in abnormal sperm morphology, then it can be a major cause of infertility.

Normally, sperm have an oval head and a long tail. For abnormal sperm, there can be either head or tail defect like: double or crooked tail, misshapen or large head. These irregularities can impair sperm ability to reach and fertilize an egg.

Sperm morphological abnormalities include:

• Micro cephalic Sperm - Small Sperm


• Macro cephalic Sperm - Large Sperm


• Tapered Sperm


• Amorphous sperm with midpiece and tail defect
  

Major causes of abnormal sperm morphology include:

• Infections


• High fever


• Usage of illegal drugs


• Alcohol consumption


• Congenital testicular abnormalities


• Varicocele – Enlargement of veins within the scrotum


• Toxin exposure causes reduced sperm motility


• Cigarette smoke causes abnormal morphology


• Organic solvents causes coiled tails
  

When you lower your exposure to these agents, abnormal morphology levels usually decrease. If there are any changes in the sperm morphology, it is best to repeat the test in four to six weeks to determine whether it is permanent or temporary.

Don’t get too worried if the semen analysis results in abnormal sperm morphology. There are things that can be done such as intrauterine insemination or IVF. Your doctor will know the best track of fertility treatments for your situation.