What is abnormalities in sperm?

What are Sperm Abnormalities? – An Overview:

Sperm are the cornerstone of determining a male's fertility. A healthy sperm has the highest chance of reaching the egg and fertilising it, but when sperm become unable to do so, it is due to abnormalities in the sperm.

Sperm abnormalities are a group of defects in the sperm, which include their count, motility, and morphology. These features are the deciding factors whether a sperm will reach the egg successfully and help it fertilise or not. So when any of these parameters is affected, it severely compromises male fertility. Although these sperm defects are the primary reason for male infertility, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can help avoid serious complications. There are many possible causes for these defects, and identifying them is the first step toward effective treatment.

What Are Some Common Types of Sperm Abnormalities?

There are five primary categories of sperm defects, based on number, motility, and shape:

• Oligospermia – Oligospermia is where sperm number is lower than normal sperm levels (less than 15 million sperm per millilitre). A low sperm count reduces the likelihood that sperm can reach the egg and ultimately fertilise it, making conception difficult.
• Asthenozoospermia – This is the condition of sperm defect where sperm struggle to move properly toward the egg. Therefore, asthenozoospermia is classified based on the sperm’s motility. This abnormality makes the sperm struggle to swim efficiently, eventually reducing the chances of fertilisation.
• Teratozoospermia – Teratozoospermia is the classification of sperm abnormality based on the morphology (shape and size) of the sperm. This includes bad head shape, odd midpieces, or faulty tails. These are factors that impact male fertility by preventing sperm from entering eggs.
• Azoospermia – It is an extreme condition of sperm deficiency where there are no sperm present in semen at all. Azoospermia may result from blockages or from impaired sperm production.
• Necrozoospermia – Necrozoospermia is when sperm in the semen are either dead or not viable for successful fertilisation. This condition makes the natural conception almost impossible without intervention.

Identification of each of these sperm abnormality types helps formulate the best possible treatment plan.

Sperm Abnormality Causes:

The causes of abnormal sperm morphology and overall health depend on various factors, some of which include:

• Genetic factors: Defects in chromosomes, including conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome, can significantly impair normal sperm production.
• Hormonal imbalances: The low levels of an important male sex hormone, testosterone, or thyroid issues can interfere with the development and functioning of sperm.
• Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle habits like smoking, heavy alcohol use, drug use, and obesity can lower sperm count, motility, and morphology.
• Environmental exposure: Environmental factors can also contribute to infertility in males. These may include exposure to harmful chemicals, radiation, or prolonged heat from hot baths, saunas, or tight clothing, which can damage sperm DNA and structure.
• Medical conditions: Varicocele, which involves enlarged testicular veins, along with other serious conditions like infections, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can reduce sperm quality.
• Age-related decline: Age is the most common factor in fertility decline, not only in females but also in males. So, as men get older, sperm motility, count, and morphology naturally decrease. This raises the chance of abnormalities.

Sperm Abnormality Symptoms:

Sperm abnormalities often do not cause signs or symptoms, making early detection difficult. So, most men don’t have any idea of their condition until it becomes a serious issue. However, there are some most probable symptoms you may need to be aware of, which include:

• Difficulty in conceiving even after regular and unprotected intercourse for more than a year.
• Less semen volume during ejaculation.
• Difficulty in erectile function of the prostate or reduced libido is also an initial sign of infertility linked to hormonal imbalances.
• Pain or swelling in or around the areas of the testicles, especially when due to any other medical issue or infection, can be a sign of sperm abnormality.

Note that all these symptoms are just an alert sign, while the confirmation of sperm abnormality can only be obtained through a proper semen analysis. So seek medical help and confirmatory tests to get a proper idea of your condition.

Sperm Abnormality Treatment

Men diagnosed with sperm abnormalities should note that this is not an end; they can still father a child with some medical support. Each of these treatments largely depends upon the underlying cause and extent of abnormality. Some common treatment options for the same include:

Medications:

• For an initial or less severe condition of sperm abnormality, some advanced medications can be enough to manage the sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Surgery:

• In cases of sperm abnormality linked with varicocele or other medical issues, surgeries can be the best option to improve the quality of sperm once done.

Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART):

Assisted reproductive techniques are advanced medical procedures used for severe sperm defects. These techniques help couples to conceive with advanced medical support:

• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is the most common ART in which fertilisation of an egg and sperm is done with the assistance of a laboratory setting.
• IUI or Intrauterine Insemination is the most commonly used ART for male infertility, specifically due to sperm defects. This process involves direct insemination of sperm into the female’s uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is used for severe sperm defects, which involves directly injecting a single healthy sperm into the egg.

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Lifestyle modifications include maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and reducing stress. These changes can significantly improve sperm health.

Donor Sperm:

• In rare cases where treatment isn’t successful, using donor sperm can be a viable option for achieving pregnancy..

Conclusion

In conclusion, more men than you think have abnormalities of sperm, but the good news is that they usually can be remedied. With early diagnosis and lifestyle improvement, as well as access to new fertility treatments, many men will address this issue and reach their goal of fatherhood. Working with a fertility specialist can improve pregnancy rates and can also identify underlying health concerns that may adversely affect reproductive health. Early intervention and a commitment to wellness can transform sperm quality and maximise fertility potential.