Semen analysis - morphology

[woewoe148]

Hi, my busband as done a test on semen analysis recently. Everything was fine, except for the Morphology. The details are as follows:

Volume: 4.0 ml
Count: 105 million/ml
Motility: 95%
Morphology: 60% (The reference stated in the report is = or >70

I searched the Wikipedia and I am confused about two points. The quote is as below. My questions are

1) it appears that based on WHO, the reference point is 30%. But why is it that the standard stated on my hushand's report is 70.

2) Based on the Wikipedia, it appears that based on WHO, the reference is 30%. Based on another strict test, the % is 14%, i.e., Men with 14% normal forms are considered normal and okay. How come the stricter test's reference point is even less than that for WHO ? Did I misunderstand something ?

In anycase, does my husband's result (60%) show the low ability for fertile ?

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Morphology = shape of spermatozoa: Several techniques have been described to evaluate sperm morphology. Sperm are classified into normal-oval shaped, tapered, amorphous, duplicated and immature. Normal spermatozoid must have an oval form with smooth contour, acrosomal cap encompassing 40-70% of head, no abnormalities of midpiece, or tail and no cytoplasmic vacuoles of more than half of the sperm head. Head size is 5-6m M x 2.5-3.5m M. Any borderline sperm are counted as abnormal( amorphous, tapered,duplicated, immature, coiled tail, blunted tail, midpiece abnormalities). The predictive value of sperm morphology in determining pregnancy rates is low

a. WHO criteria: >30% normal forms ( 100 cells evaluated)
b.Strict criteria (higher predictive value in determining rates of pregnancy in IVF program) are based on the morphology of postcoital spermatozoa found at the level of the internal cervical os. 100 cells evaluated for only normal sperm (>14% normal forms). Men with fewer than 4% normal forms usually failed to fertilize without micromanipulation. Strict criteria for normal sperm morphology include:

Sperm head: Smooth oval configuration. Length-5-6 microns. Width:2.5-3.5 microns. Acrosome comprises 40-70% of the anterior sperm head
  Midpiece: Axially attached, 1.5 times the head length, £ 1m m in width
Tail: Straight, uniform, slightly thinner than the midpiece, uncoiled, ± 45m m long

[woewoe148]

Many thanks for your comfort !

[redBlues]

hi there:

I would suggest to follow WHOs standard.I had to do lots of search on my DH results too..

Don't forget the fact that each clinic does have different passing scores..although i believe everybody shold follow WHOs standard..

my DH result was 40% for motility...

so ur DH 60% is very good....good luck....don't worry too much about the #s

[sherrysb]

My husband's morphology screen came back low. And in that same month, before our follow up visit I found out I was pregnant. I tool the morphology result with a grain of salt. I used the following methods.....

prayer
belief
sex during ovulation
pre-seed

[adgal]

I wish I could be of more help here, but I just don't know much about this.  Some of the other women here might be able to tell you more.  I did want to wish you luck and to suggest that in addition to this forum, you post this on fertility forum.  Good luck to you.