Fertility - Variations in Sperm Counts

Variations in Sperm Counts

Author: Marc Deschamps

Article: Copyright 2006 Marc Deschamps

The main factors that affect the normal sperm count and quality can be summarized in six main points:

• Sperm mobility
• Concentration
• Morphology
• Speed
• Count
• Sub-fertility

Drawbacks in any of these areas can greatly affect the chances of conception.

Sperm mobility refers to the sperm's ability to move in a rather
dynamic and active fashion. When it comes to healthy sperm, more than
50% of them may be considered active if more than 25% of them are
moving vehemently in one direction. It is this movement that enables
the sperm to travel through the cervical canal, into the uterus and
the fallopian tubes and finally, to break through the egg.

Normal sperm count is a function of concentration that refers to the
number of sperm cells in a milliliter of semen. The average or normal
concentration measures around 22 million sperm cells per milliliter of
semen.

The third point is morphology. A healthy sperm cell bears a
resemblance to a tadpole in shape. The oval head of the sperm holds
the genetic material, while the center provides energy and the tail
thrusts the sperm forward. Experts believe that oddly shaped sperm
are not capable of fertilizing an egg.

Speed is another factor that affects sperm quality. Based on a study
made by the World Health Organization, in a healthy male only 25% of
sperm will exhibit progressive mobility. These are the sperm with the
best chance of successfully infiltrating and fertilizing an egg.

Normal sperm count is also a vital factor in sperm production. Count
refers to the number of sperm in the fluid that is ejaculated. There
are over 50 million sperm in a normal ejaculate, and a total count
below 40 million may indicate decreased fertility.

The sixth and last factor is sub-fertility. This term refers to
couples that are unable to achieve conception after a year's period of
unprotected intercourse. This is, however, different from
infertility. The typical causes of male sub-fertility include sperm
production problems, blockage in the sperm's delivery system,
injuries to the testicles, low or high hormone production, anatomical
problems, varicocele, past illnesses, side effects of medications, and
sperm quality.

Increasing the volume of ejaculation and the normal sperm count has
become a common obsession among men. During the past few years, the
medical community had been committed to developing a safe and
effective alternative treatment to the run of the mill advice that has
been handed down from one generation to the next. Recent studies show
that increasing sperm volume could actually be accomplished in two
ways.

The first way to increase sperm county is by taking herbal supplements
that contain amino acids and zinc. Amino acids, if taken regularly,
are generally believed to increase ejaculate
fluid. Zinc seems to improve both the amount of sperm produced as
well as the sperm's ability to move spontaneously and independently.
Together with amino acids, this will increase normal sperm count and
volume significantly.

The second way to increase sperm count is by doing PC exercises.
Kegel exercises
can not only help you last longer, they can also aid in increasing
sperm volume. Several exercises can help to keep your penis in great
shape and shoot like a champion.

About the author:
Marc Deschamps is the editor of For-Men-Only-Magazine.com, a free
online publication dedicated to the sexual health of the modern man.
Other articles on male semen can be found at
http://www.for-men-only-magazine.com/contents-of-semen.html

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