Male Factor Infertility

hi there.
ok, so I am no expert so please take what I say with a grain of salt. But from my understanding, even if your sperm count is very high (204Million I'm assuming), the motility seems low. What does motility 2 mean on your chart? What is the range?
Usually motility above 40% is considered normal, I think in your analysis that number corresponds to your 30% viable. So you seem to be a little low. Then forward progression is quite low at 1 . That usually means, depending on their scale (usually it's 1 to 4) that the sperms are either just twitching, or have very sluggish forward progression.

Have you discussed your results with a doctor yet? I would highly recommend you see a male fertility specialist, ie. an Urologist. They are the ones who can best advise you on a treatment, if treatment is needed (or possible).

That all said, I also understand that sperm quality and production can vary a lot from month to month, day to day.... and that what you did 3 months ago would affect your sperm today (as it takes that long to produce them). Things that could negatively affect your sperm range from being exposed to hot tub/sauna, very hot baths or showers, having had some health issue (even minor, like the flu, and especially anything that could have raised your body temperature), all the way to biking, wearing certain underwear, or taking certain drugs/medications. So maybe this analysis is atypical, and I'm guessing they will likely ask you many questions to determine if any of the above could have been a factor in your below average results, and possibly have you get another SA before deciding on what to do.

Hope this helps.

The biggest factor is the 2% motility, normal is typically 40% or higher and the progression of only 1 is stating that your sperm is only sluggish to non-progressive.

Have you seen an Urologist for a full male factor fertility workup to see what might be the cause behind this poor motility and progression?

Your count looks great so it could be a lifestyle exposure or medications causing this low motility.

The vitality and motility should be very close and with the 28% spread this raises concern as well. Is the sample not being processing within 1 hour of collection so the motility is decreasing before processing? Did you use a lubricant during collection that can kill sperm? Any medication or drug use? Any heat or chemical exposure in your lifestyle or daily work?

There is also a condition that causes very low motility but still vital sperm and usable for IVF. Your Urologist can address this.

Have you had multiple sperm analyses to see if this was testing error or actual trend for your samples? I highly recommend testing at least 2-3 samples for a true picture of your sperm production and quality. Make sure to have 2-3 days of abstinence, no ejaculations, leading up to the test.

Great question and keep us posted on what you find out.

Amy Perkins, MS, TS
Laboratory Supervisor
Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank
International Center for Vasectomy Reversal

this was my first test but I have had 3 since then thay all show the same levels...my urologist wants to send me to another docttor to have a biopsy done..I have no insurance and can not aford it as I have already put almost all of my savings into ttc we have been trying for 9 years now...I don't do drugs and I am bot on any medication..however with my job I am out in the heat all day long everyday but sunday..I work outside in the summer and winter ...Have you ever heard of this? is there anykind of male fertility medication that could with my levels being so low...my wife has been on clomid and we where thinking about doing a iui...but her doctor seems to think there is no hope with my levels unless we have ivf. we can,t we dont have the money for it..iui is the only thing we can aford at the moment...What should we do? is there anything that would bring my levels up?

What condition is it? so I will know what to ask him about at my next appointment

For some men the testicular biopsy for the hunt of good sperm that can be used for IVF is the last option for a biological child.

You may have a genetic reason for not producing sperm and this could be passed onto your future children causing them infertility. Has your doctor discuss genetic counseling?


If you can not afford this option you can decide if you are willing to use donor sperm for intrauterine inseminations (IUI). National cryobanks such as Fairfax Cryo and California Cryobank use facial recognition software to try to match one of their donors to similar facial characteristics as you to increase the chances of a child looking similar to you. The IUI option would run in the hundreds to low thousands vs the IVF that would run $10,000 a cycle plus the cost of your sperm retrieval.

Remember a father is not always biological but rather the man in the child's life that provides, loves and nurtures that growing child. Any man can be a biological sperm donor but it take a special man to be a dad.

Amy Perkins, MS, TS (ABB)
Laboratory Supervisor
Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank
International Center for Vasectomy Reversal