Many men may have misunderstandings about this topic, such as thinking that more semen means better health and stronger sperm. However, the truth is, you might actually have very few or even no sperm at all.
Fact:
- Semen and sperm are not the same. Semen is the fluid that nourishes sperm, while sperm (which we cannot see with the naked eye) are the cells responsible for fertilization.
- The process of sperm production, called spermatogenesis, takes about 74 days.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a normal sperm count is 15 million sperm per milliliter, or at least 39 million sperm per ejaculation.
- Chinese men produce 70–173 million sperm cells per day.
- Latin men produce 231–398 million sperm cells per day.
- White men produce 193–318 million sperm cells per day.
- Studies show that men who wear boxers have 17% more sperm than men who wear briefs.
- Not all sperm will swim towards the egg. Scientists have found that many sperm remain still, fail to swim forward, or even swim backward.
- Age affects sperm quality. As men get older, sperm is more prone to mutations, which can lead to genetic disorders in offspring.
What affects sperm count and quality? Several factors affect sperm production in the testes, leading to abnormalities in shape or number. These include:
Internal bodily factors:
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Diabetes
- High levels of prolactin (a hormone produced by the pituitary gland)
- Testicular injuries
- Insensitivity to male hormones (androgens and testosterone)
- Swollen testes due to infection or inflammation
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Undescended testicles
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), which affects blood flow and increases testicular temperature, negatively impacting sperm production. This condition is found in about 40% of men with infertility issues.
External environmental factors:
- Exposure to chemicals like benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, paint materials, and lead over long periods can reduce sperm count.
- Exposure to heavy metals such as tin, zinc, copper, lead, arsenic, and mercury can also cause infertility.
- Radiation or X-rays can reduce sperm production. It may take several years for sperm production to return to normal, and in cases of high radiation exposure, sperm production may be permanently affected.
- Excessive heat around the testicles can impair sperm production and function. Although research on this is limited, frequent sauna use or hot baths may temporarily reduce sperm count.
In addition to these, lifestyle factors, environment, and the man’s age play significant roles in male infertility.
While a man’s body typically produces enough viable sperm for reproduction, certain factors or conditions can hinder sperm motility. Sperm that move too slowly or not at all may die before reaching the egg, leading to what is known as “male infertility.”
Why is sperm immobile or slow-moving?
- Thick seminal fluid can hinder sperm movement.
- In about 10%-20% of male infertility cases, sperm cannot travel from the testes to the outside.
- Blockages in the sperm duct, often due to vasectomy, can prevent sperm from traveling out of the body.
- Some men with genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis are born without sperm ducts, making them infertile, though they can still produce sperm.
- Erectile dysfunction in some men also poses a problem for sexual activity.
- Sperm refluxing into the bladder, which can be caused by certain medications, is another condition affecting fertility.
Thank you to Medical News Today for some of the information.
Appointment
iBaby Fertility & Genetic Center
Athenee Tower, 11 Floor
จันทร์ – เสาร์ เวลา 9.00 น. – 16.00 น.
สอบถามเพิ่มเติม
Tel : +6621688640
Tel : +6621688641
Tel : +6621688642
Tel : +6621688643
Mail : info@iBabyFertility.com
Line : @iBaby