Dead Sperm Cells: How Do They Impact Male Fertility?

Sperm cells are male reproductive cells that carry genetic information from the male partner to the female egg [1]. These cells swim inside the female reproductive tract to reach the egg and fertilize it.

A dead sperm cell is a tag for sperm cells that are unable to swim and can not fertilize the egg [2]. Dead sperm cells significantly impact the chances of conception.

In this article, we will explore the impacts of dead sperm on male fertility status. We will also look into the common causes of sperm death and how to prevent such causes.

What Are Dead Sperm Cells?

Dead sperm cells, as the name suggests, are sperm that are no longer alive to perform their specific task. They can not swim or fertilize an egg.

But how do you know you have dead sperm in ejaculation?

Semen analysis is a test for different sperm parameters, and it also tells what proportion of sperm cells are dead in the semen [3]. A certain percentage of dead sperm in semen is normal. However, a high proportion can indicate potential fertility issues.

If the dead sperm are very high in semen analysis, further evaluation of reproductive health is a must in order to prevent the risk of infertility.

Dead Sperm Cells and Male Fertility

Since sperm cells are male reproductive cells, any problem affecting sperm directly affects male fertility status.

Here is how dead sperm can impact male fertility:

• Signs of healthy sperm is essential for male fertility because healthy sperm can live long enough to reach and fertilize the egg.
• When there are too many dead sperm cells in ejaculate fluid, there will not be enough sperm cells to fertilize the egg, which can make it harder for a couple to conceive.

Common Causes of Increased Dead Sperm Cells

Several factors can lead to an increase in dead sperm cells. Some are lifestyle-related, others are medical. These include:

• High Temperatures: Exposure to heat, such as from hot tubs or tight clothing, can harm sperm cells [4]. This can lead to reduced sperm viability and dead sperm cells.
• Infections: Sexually transmitted infections in the reproductive tract can harm sperm health. Bacterial or viral infections can kill sperm cells, negatively impacting fertility and decreasing the chances of conception.
• Oxidative Stress: Free radicals in the body can damage sperm cells, causing them to die [5]. This often results from poor diet, smoking, or environmental toxins.
• Varicocele: A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of veins in the scrotum that affects sperm production. Poor circulation and heat can lead to more dead sperm cells.

Tips to Improve Sperm Health

Sperm health can be improved by changing some dietary and lifestyle habits. Certain foods and nutrients can support sperm viability.

Here are some effective tips to improve sperm health and prevent sperm death:

1. Studies show that many different nutrients are essential for the sperm production process and maintaining the health of sperm [6]. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can protect sperm from damage and improve their health.
2. Since heat is a major threat to sperm viability, limit time in hot tubs and avoid tight clothing to prevent heat damage to sperm cells.
3. Smoking and drinking alcohol use can harm sperm quality and lead to sperm death. Quit smoking, alcohol, and other such additive drugs to boost sperm health and chances of conception.
4. Moderate physical activity boosts overall health and can also improve sperm production.

Conclusion

A simple definition of dead sperm is those cells that can’t fertilize an egg. Dead sperm cells are normal in the ejaculation fluid, but there is a certain limit. If more sperm cells are dead than that limit, it can significantly decrease the chances of pregnancy.

Different dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors can trigger sperm death. If you are trying to conceive, we recommend that you undergo a semen analysis test to evaluate the health of sperm cells.

If the test reports show a higher percentage of dead sperm than normal, seek help from a fertility specialist to prevent the risk of male infertility.

FAQs

1. What does dead sperm look like?

You can only see dead sperm cells under a microscope, where they will appear non-motile and maybe misshapen.

2. How to know if you can produce sperm?

Semen analysis is an effective fertility test that can tell how much sperm you produce. This test also tells about the health of your sperm.

Resources Used

1. Orsolini, M. F., Meyers, S. A., & Dini, P. (2021). An Update on Semen Physiology, Technologies, and Selection Techniques for the Advancement of In Vitro Equine Embryo Production: Section I. Animals : An Open Access Journal From MDPI, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113248 
2. The death of sperm cells. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380149571_The_Death_of_Sperm_Cells 
3. Matsumura, T., Kitamura, M., & Kobayashi, Y. (2020). Physiology, Spermatogenesis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564369/ 
4. Hoang-Thi, P., Dang-Thi, T., Phan-Van, S., Nguyen-Ba, T., Truong-Thi, L., Le-Minh, T., Nguyen-Vu, H., & Nguyen-Thanh, T. (2022). The Impact of High Ambient Temperature on Human Sperm Parameters: A Meta-Analysis. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 51(4), 710-723. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232 
5. Walke, G., Gaurkar, S. S., Prasad, R., Lohakare, T., & Wanjari, M. (2023). The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproductive Function: Exploring the Role of Antioxidant Supplementation. Cureus, 15(7). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42583 
6. What Vitamins Should A Man Take When Trying To Conceive. Conceive Plus®. https://conceiveplus.com/blogs/blog/what-vitamins-should-a-man-take-when-trying-to-conceive