Sperm morphology is one of the key factors that affect fertility. It measures the percentage of sperm in a semen sample that have normal shapes.
A normal sperm shape includes a smooth, oval-shaped head that contains genetic material, a slender neck, and a single tail. You need about 4% of the best-shaped sperm for successful conception.
1. Change Your Diet
A healthy diet is the best way to improve sperm morphology. Eat more leafy greens like spinach, watercress, and kale for folate, and try to eat salmon, tuna, and other fish rich in omega-3s to promote sperm health. Add nuts to your diet, especially walnuts, which are high in sperm health-boosting vitamins. Other good sources of nutrients for sperm include bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
Changing your diet can help to reduce the percentage of abnormally-shaped sperm in your sample, which can make it easier to achieve pregnancy. However, you will need to change your diet over time to get the best results.
Abnormal sperm morphology can contribute to fertility issues, including low sperm count and poor sperm motility, which means that fewer sperm can reach an egg. Improving sperm morphology, along with improving sperm count and motility, is an important part of treating male factor infertility.
Fortunately, most of the causes of poor sperm morphology and motility are rectifiable, and the changes can have significant impacts. Some factors, such as age and genetics, are out of your control, but a nutrient-rich diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can all have positive effects on sperm morphology and motility. Getting help from a fertility specialist is also an option. Talk to a physician at Eva Infertility & IVF Clinic at Ludhiana for more information about your options.
2. Take a Supplement
Sperm morphology is one of the things that a doctor may look at when performing a semen analysis. It’s important to note that a low morphology score isn’t the end of the world, but it can make it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
A normal sperm has a smooth, oval-shaped head that contains the genetic material from dad; a midpiece with mitochondria to power the sperm; and a tail to propel it toward an egg in the female reproductive tract. Medical experts and physicians generally define a “normal” sperm by examining them under a microscope and looking for specific visual parameters. These include a straight, uncrooked neck; an even and smooth midpiece; and a tail that isn’t bent or broken.
Having healthy sperm isn’t just about morphology, but also about count and motility. Those factors are what determine whether or not a man can conceive naturally. For this reason, a sperm morphology reading on its own isn’t as strong of an indicator of fertility issues as, for example, a test that also looks at sperm motility and count.
The good news is that sperm morphology can be improved with a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. For instance, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking and eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can improve sperm health by keeping them healthy and in good shape. Vitamin C is particularly beneficial to sperm, as is Folate (found in leafy greens like spinach and broccoli).
3. Exercise
Sperm need to be shaped a certain way in order to penetrate an egg. This is why a sperm analysis usually includes morphology. The sperm shape is determined by the size of the head, DNA content (revealed by a nuclear color stain), midpiece appearance and structure of the tail. If the sperm has a crooked head or a short or double tail, it can impact fertility.
If the sperm shape is abnormal, the test results will say so. A normal sperm shape is considered to have an oval head and a single long tail. However, the shape of a sperm can vary from man to man. For example, some men have a crooked head, which does not necessarily affect fertility. However, if the percentage of crooked sperm is high enough, it can decrease fertility.
There are different sets of sperm morphology criteria used in laboratories, including Kruger strict morphology and WHO morphology. The Kruger strict morphology considers more abnormalities, while the WHO criteria is more lenient. It is important to understand that there are large inter-lab and intra-lab variations in sperm morphology evaluations.
The good news is that it is very possible to improve sperm morphology by making diet and lifestyle changes. Exercise, avoiding toxins and taking supplements can all help with improving sperm morphology. In addition, reducing stress levels can improve fertility as well.
4. Quit Smoking
Men who smoke are more likely to have abnormal sperm morphology than their non-smoking counterparts. This is because smoking can cause changes in the shape of sperm cells, which can affect sperm health and fertility.
Smoking also increases the risk of sperm DNA fragmentation, which can lead to problems with fertilization and embryo development. For these reasons, it is recommended that men who want to conceive should try to quit smoking. If you are having difficulty quitting, a doctor can recommend different methods to help you.
A healthy diet and regular exercise can also improve sperm morphology. You should also avoid consuming too much caffeine and alcohol. If you are overweight, losing weight can be beneficial for sperm health. In addition, avoiding exposure to chemicals and wearing loose cotton boxers can improve sperm quality. A good dietary intake of vitamin C and E, Coenzyme Q10, and Lycopene can also help with sperm morphology. In some cases, a fertility specialist may need to provide treatment for more severe sperm morphology issues. However, it’s important to remember that a healthy diet and lifestyle are the best treatments for abnormal sperm morphology. If you are struggling with fertility issues, contact a specialist for a consultation to determine what is causing the problem. Then you can work together to find solutions that will make it easier for you to conceive.
