What is the Difference Between Fertile vs Infertile Sperm

When you’re trying to have a baby, it helps to know the difference between fertile vs infertile sperm. Because, really, sperm quality is super important when it comes to making a baby. But how can you tell if sperm is fertile or not? It's not always obvious. This article will explore the key things that separate fertile sperm vs infertile sperm and what steps can help improve fertility.

What Makes Sperm Fertile?

To understand fertile vs infertile sperm, first, let’s look at what makes sperm "fertile." There are three main things:

• Sperm Count: Fertile sperm means having at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. The more, the better. Because more sperm means better odds of one reaching the egg [1].
• Motility: This refers to how well sperm can swim. It matters because sperm need to travel through the reproductive system to reach the egg. Fertile sperm should have at least 40% moving [2].
• Morphology: Sperm Morphology is just a fancy way of saying shape. Fertile sperm have an oval head and a long tail, making it easier for them to get where they need to go [3].

These three things—count, movement, and shape—are what you need to look at to tell the difference between fertile sperm vs infertile sperm.

Top Tip: If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, consider a sperm test to check these factors.

Why Sperm Become Infertile

There are many reasons why sperm might become infertile. For some men, it's a low sperm count—there just aren’t enough sperm in the semen. For others, it’s poor motility, where sperm can’t swim efficiently. And then there are cases where sperm shape is off, like having two heads or bent tails. These abnormalities make it tough for sperm to reach the egg [4].

Lifestyle factors also play a role. Smoking, excessive alcohol, and stress can all contribute to infertile sperm [5]. Environmental toxins, poor diet, and even being overweight can reduce sperm quality.

Top Tip: Reducing alcohol and quitting smoking can give sperm a much-needed boost.

Natural Ways to Improve Sperm Health

The good news? There are ways to improve sperm health naturally. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, and getting the right nutrients can do wonders. For example, zinc is crucial for sperm production and motility, while CoQ10 acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects sperm from damage. Adding these nutrients to your daily routine can help make a big difference [6].

Here’s what else helps:

• Folic Acid: This helps with healthy sperm development and supports DNA synthesis, which is essential for sperm health [7].
• Vitamin C: A well-known antioxidant that protects sperm from damage caused by free radicals [8].
• Myo-Inositol: Known for improving hormonal balance, it’s also useful in boosting sperm quality [9].

Including these vitamins and minerals in your diet, or through supplements, can improve sperm quality. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight also make a difference.

Top Tip: Consider supplements that contain zinc, CoQ10, and folic acid to help improve sperm health over time.

Testing Your Sperm Health

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over a year without luck, it’s probably time to consider a sperm test. This test will help you figure out whether you have fertile vs infertile sperm. A sperm analysis checks several things like count, movement, and shape to see if your sperm is up to the task [10].

Based on the results, a doctor may suggest lifestyle changes or recommend fertility treatments.

Top Tip: Don’t stress too much if the first test isn’t great—sperm quality can change over time and with lifestyle improvements.

The Bottom Line

Figuring out the difference between fertile sperm vs infertile sperm is a key part of the fertility journey. Fertile sperm have the right count, can move efficiently, and have the proper shape to reach and fertilize the egg. Infertile sperm may struggle with one or more of these factors, but the good news is, it’s often possible to improve sperm health through lifestyle changes and proper nutrition. A sperm test can help you track your progress and understand what’s going on.

FAQs

What is considered a normal sperm count?

A normal sperm count is 15 million or more sperm per milliliter of semen.

How can I improve sperm motility?

Improving diet, exercising regularly, and adding nutrients like CoQ10 and zinc can help boost sperm motility.

What role does sperm shape play in fertility?

Sperm with normal shapes are more likely to penetrate the egg, increasing the chances of conception.

Can lifestyle choices really affect sperm quality?

Yes. Smoking, drinking too much, and being overweight can all negatively impact sperm quality.

How do I check if my sperm is fertile?

A sperm analysis test will measure count, motility, and shape to give you a clear idea of your sperm health.

Citations

1. Cao XW, Lin K, Li CY, Yuan CW. [A review of WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th edition)]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22235670/
2. Cooper TG, Noonan E, von Eckardstein S, Auger J, Baker HW, Behre HM, Haugen TB, Kruger T, Wang C, Mbizvo MT, Vogelsong KM. World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. Hum Reprod Update. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19934213/
3. Kruger TF, Acosta AA, Simmons KF, Swanson RJ, Matta JF, Oehninger S. Predictive value of abnormal sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3335257/
4. Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male Infertility. [Updated 2024 Feb 25]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/
5. Jurewicz J, Radwan M, Sobala W, Ligocka D, Radwan P, Bochenek M, Hanke W. Lifestyle and semen quality: role of modifiable risk factors. Syst Biol Reprod Med. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24074254/#:~:text=Leisure%20time%20activity%20was%20positively,p%20%3D%200.03%2C%20respectively).
6. Salas-Huetos A, Bulló M, Salas-Salvadó J. Dietary patterns, foods and nutrients in male fertility parameters and fecundability: a systematic review of observational studies. Hum Reprod Update. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28333357/
7. Boxmeer JC, Smit M, Utomo E, Romijn JC, Eijkemans MJ, Lindemans J, Laven JS, Macklon NS, Steegers EA, Steegers-Theunissen RP. Low folate in seminal plasma is associated with increased sperm DNA damage. Fertil Steril. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18722602/
8. Rolf C, Cooper TG, Yeung CH, Nieschlag E. Antioxidant treatment of patients with asthenozoospermia or moderate oligoasthenozoospermia with high-dose vitamin C and vitamin E: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Hum Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10221237/
9. Montanino Oliva M, Minutolo E, Lippa A, Iaconianni P, Vaiarelli A. Effect of Myoinositol and Antioxidants on Sperm Quality in Men with Metabolic Syndrome. Int J Endocrinol. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5056296/
10. Sunder M, Leslie SW. Semen Analysis. [Updated 2022 Oct 24]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564369/