Sperm Integrity
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, normal sperm count should be 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or more, a typical ejaculate contains about 2-5 mililiters of semen, therefore a normal total sperm count can range from 30 million to 150 million sperm per ejaculate
Low Sperm Count
Can Lead to Male Infertility
Reduced Chances of Fertilization
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Lower Probability of Natural Conception
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Sperm Competition
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Increased Risk of Genetic Abnormalities
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A low sperm count reduces the likelihood of sperm reaching and fertilizing an egg, as fewer sperm are available to swim towards and penetrate the egg.​
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In cases of low sperm count, even if some sperm are able to reach the egg, the chances of successful fertilization and pregnancy are significantly reduced.
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With fewer sperm in the ejaculate, there’s increased competition for fertilizing the egg, and the chances of success diminish.
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A low sperm count may be associated with abnormal sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation, which can affect the embryo’s development and lead to infertility, miscarriage, or congenital conditions.
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Normal
Sperm Count
Normozoospermia
This refers to normal sperm count, motility, and morphology—all within the healthy range.
Sperm Count:
15 million sperm per milliliter or more.​​
Low
Sperm Count
Oligozoospermia
A condition where the sperm count is below the normal range (less than 15 million sperm per milliliter).
Sperm Count:
Less than 15 million sperm per milliliter.
Very Low
Sperm Count
Cryptozoospermia
Very low sperm count, where sperm are found in trace amounts and often require advanced laboratory techniques to detect.
Sperm Count:
​​Less than 1 million sperm per milliliter.
No
Sperm Count
Azoospermia
This refers to the complete absence of sperm in the semen.
Sperm Count:
Zero sperm per mililiter.
Low Sperm Motility
Can Lead to Male Infertility
Reduced Ability to Reach the Egg
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Inability to Penetrate the Egg
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Difficulty in Fertilization​​​​​
Sperm with low motility have difficulty swimming through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes to reach the egg. As a result, the chances of sperm reaching the egg and fertilizing it are reduced.​
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Even if sperm with low motility do manage to reach the egg, their reduced ability to swim means they might not be able to penetrate the egg’s protective layers effectively, reducing the chances of fertilization.
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Low motility may also affect the ability of sperm to swim in the correct direction, further decreasing the likelihood of successful fertilization and pregnancy.
Spermiogram Results for Normal Sperm Motility
Total
Sperm Motility
≥40%
of sperm
should be motile.
A spermiogram, or semen analysis, is used to assess sperm quality, including sperm count, motility, and morphology. For motility, a normal result should include:
Progressive
Sperm Motility
≥32%
of sperm should exhibit forward movement.
Non-Progressive
Sperm Motility
Up to
20-30%
of sperm may exhibit
non-progressive motility.
High Sperm Mobility
Low Sperm Mobility
Abnormal Sperm Morphology
Can Lead to Male Infertility
Impaired Ability to Penetrate the Egg
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Reduced Sperm Motility
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Difficulty in Fertilization
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Impact on Embryo Quality
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Increased Risk of Miscarriage​
Sperm with abnormal heads may lack the proper acrosomal enzymes required to penetrate the egg's protective layers. This reduces the chances of successful fertilization.Sperm with abnormal tails or midpieces may lack the necessary motility and energy to reach and penetrate the egg.​​
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Sperm with malformed tails may have trouble swimming or may swim inefficiently, hindering their ability to reach the egg.​
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Sperm with an abnormal head shape or multiple tails (e.g., double tails) may be physically incapable of fusing with the egg, which is necessary for fertilization.Some sperm may exhibit a double head, making it impossible to deliver the required genetic material for fertilization.
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Even if sperm with abnormal morphology manage to fertilize the egg, the embryo quality can be compromised. Abnormal sperm morphology is often linked with DNA fragmentation, which can lead to developmental issues and miscarriage.
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Sperm with abnormal morphology can have compromised DNA integrity, increasing the risk of miscarriage due to genetic defects in the embryo.
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Function
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Shape
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Structure
Understanding
Teratozoospermia
The WHO defines that at least 4% of sperm should have a normal shape (based on strict criteria). Anything lower than this threshold indicates potential fertility problems. The following is considered normal sperm morphology
Normal Sperm Midpiece
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Provides energy for movement by housing mitochondria.
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Cylindrical and uniform.
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Contains a central filament and mitochondria.
Normal Sperm Tail
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Enables movement and propulsion.
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Straight, thin, flexible, and smooth.
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Approximately 45 micrometers long; moves in a whip-like motion.
Normal Sperm Head
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Contains genetic material (DNA) for fertilization.
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Oval, smooth, well-defined, with a regular outline.
5-6 micrometers in length; acrosome covers 40-70% of the head and contains enzymes for egg penetration.
DNA Fragmentation
Can Lead to Male Infertility
Reduced Fertilization Potential
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Impaired Embryo Development
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Increased Risk of Miscarriage
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Poor Sperm Function​​​​​​​
Sperm with fragmented DNA may be unable to fuse properly with the egg, hindering the fertilization process. The genetic material from the sperm is crucial for forming a viable embryo.
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DNA fragmentation may result in abnormal embryo development, leading to poor embryo quality. Even if fertilization occurs, the embryo may not be capable of implanting in the uterus or progressing to a healthy pregnancy.
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High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation have been linked to miscarriages. The fragmented DNA can result in chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, which may trigger miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy.
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Sperm with fragmented DNA may also exhibit reduced motility or abnormal morphology, further complicating conception.
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Understanding
DNA fragmentation
This refers to the breaking of DNA strands within sperm, which can occur due to various factors. High levels of DNA fragmentation in sperm are associated with male infertility. DNA fragmentation affects the sperm's ability to deliver its genetic material to the egg, reducing the chances of successful fertilization and increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Normal
Sperm DNA
Intact
The DNA strands are unbroken, with no damage or fragmentation.
Properly Packaged
The DNA is properly condensed and protected within the sperm head to prevent damage during the journey through the female reproductive tract.
Functioning Properly
The DNA in the sperm should be able to fertilize the egg and combine with the egg's DNA to form a healthy embryo.
How DNA Fragmentation Contributes to Miscarriage
Embryo Development
DNA fragmentation in sperm can lead to the fertilized egg receiving defective genetic material, which may result in poor embryo development or failure to implant in the uterus.
Chromosomal Abnormalities
Sperm with fragmented DNA can cause chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, such as aneuploidy (incorrect chromosome number), which significantly increases the risk of miscarriage.
Inability to Repair DNA Damage
The fertilized egg might struggle to repair the DNA damage in sperm, and this often leads to early-stage pregnancy loss or miscarriage.
PRO-SPEMAX is designed to improve male fertility by boosting sperm count and quality through the synergistic effect of its eight key ingredients. These ingredients work together in complementary ways to support various aspects of sperm health, from production to motility and DNA integrity.
