The normal semen;
1. Quantity- 2-5 ml/
ejaculate,
2. Number of spermatozoa- 20-150 millions/ml, should not be less than 15 millions/ml.
3. Morphology- No structural defect at least in 80-90%,
4. Motility- More than 95%
motile,
5. Fructose content- 150mg%
6. Liquefaction Time- 5 minutes.
There are many factors, which can affect the quality of sperm.
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| English: Human sperm stained for semen quality testing in the clinical laboratory. Español: Espermatozoides humanos teñidos para examinar calidad seminal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
OBESITY: According to
Harvard Medical School, men with obesity and/or on high saturated fatty diet, produce significantly less and weaker sperm. Excessive fat deposit in groin area can increase temperature of
testes, which can be detrimental to sperm production.
Nature of job: According to a research carried out at the universities of Sheffield and Manchester painters, printers, welders and builders are likely have poor quality of sperm due to increase in temperature of scrotum.
Alcohol: Alcoholics have 30 per cent fewer normal cells in their semen. Just one or two alcoholic drinks a day can increase the chances of having a
low sperm count, according to experts at the
Mayo Clinic in America.
Smoking: According to a study at the
University of Saarland in Germany smoking can affect
sperm quality.
Diet: Junk foods can lower the
sperm count by 43 per cent, according to US researchers. Vitamin C, zinc, vitamin E and beta-carotene have beneficial effect on sperm production. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also boost the quality.
Tight pants: Tight underwear can heat up the testicles, compromising the sperm production.
Laptops: Using laptop on lap can heat up testes by 2°C, even burn thighs. The electromagnetic radiation from Internet connection/WiFi also can affect the sperm production.
Stress: Stress can result in less healthy sperm.
Varicocele and Hydrocele can jeopardy sperm production by increasing temperature of testes.
Hot water bath: Regular hot water bath can have an adverse effect on sperm quality.
Infection: Mumps as well as leprosy affecting testes can sometimes cause atrophy of testis and hamper sperm production.
Iatrogenic: Accidental injury to vascularity of testes during hydrocele or inguinal hernia surgery can give rise to less sperm count. If both sides are destroyed there may be azospermia.
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