A low sperm count does not mean your partner can’t conceive a baby! Most people are unaware of that if sperm quality is low pregnancy is still possible through IVF. If you are someone who is suffering from poor quality and wants to undergo the IVF process and want to know how Sperm affects the IVF process, then worry not because we are here to help you.
Factors that Determine Sperm Quality and IVF Success
Many factors come under sperm quality. So, let’s look into these factors.
Sperm Motility
The ability of sperm to move is known as the mobility of sperm. If more than 30% of sperm can travel forward, then it is considered normal. High-motile sperm are used during the IVF process to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Sperm Count
Every ejaculated sperm must have at least 15 million sperm in 1 ml for a successful IVF process. A higher sperm count increases the successful pregnancy rate.
Also Read – How to Increase Sperm Count Naturally for Pregnancy?
Sperm Structure
The structure or morphology of sperm is defined as the sperm’s size, shape, and structure. The head and tail of sperm allow sperm to move forward, and it contain the enzyme which helps to break the egg’s outer wall for fertilization. If there are abnormalities in shape, then it can impact the fertilization process.
Another factor is DNA fragmentation which may cause issues like miscarriages, genetic abnormalities, and problems during pregnancy.
How does Sperm Quality get Affected?
Lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, and poor diet can impact sperm quality. Research shows that fertility also decreases with age and sperm count decreases due to hormonal changes or certain medications. For people who are dependent on certain medications for health issues, sperm quality gets compromised. Other factors like prostate infection, excess caffeine intake, etc.
How are Sperm Quality and IVF Success related to each other?
A successful IVF process is related to sperm quality. During embryo development, better semen quality leads to healthier embryos and implants successfully in the uterus. As per the researchers, low sperm count, and motility can result in lower rates of embryo development.
Many studies show that low sperm quality may increase the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. Not only this, but poor sperm quality also increases the chances of miscarriage. Consult with a male infertility doctor in Lucknow to analyze your sperm quality.
How Does Sperm Morphology Impact IVF Success?
Sperm morphology means the shape, size, and structure of the sperm. All these have an impact on male fertility. If you are undergoing IVF and your sperm have abnormal shape, size, or structure then its ability to break the outer layer of the egg during fertilization decreases. That’s why it is necessary to undergo sperm analysis before IVF to increase the chances of successful pregnancy. Abnormal sperm may lead to the formation of fewer viable embryos and may fail to implant in the uterus.
According to studies, there is a correlation between abnormal sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation which refers to damaged genetic material inside a sperm. DNA carries instructions to form an embryo properly, if it gets disturbed then the embryo may fail to develop. It results in miscarriage or genetic issues in the baby.
How can you Boost Sperm Quality to Increase the Success Rate of the IVF Process?
A healthy sperm count is necessary for a successful pregnancy. As per the studies, normally semen contains 300 million sperm to 400 million sperm per milliliter. If you and your spouse are trying to get pregnant and want to improve sperm count or sperm quality, then you have to focus on a few things.
Focus on Mindful Eating and Follow the Right Diet Plan
It is necessary to have a balanced diet to promote good health. Make sure that your diet is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Antioxidants like vitamin C, E, and coenzyme Q10 help in maintaining good sperm health. Avoid eating junk foods because they contain preservatives and are high in unhealthy fats. Be mindful of whatever you eat because ultimately it affects your sperm health.
Be Active and include Exercise in your Daily Schedule
You should include exercises or more movement in your daily life to improve overall health and quality of sperm. Also, avoid smoking or consuming alcohol because it affects semen quality.
Minimize Your Stress
Stress may reduce your sexual satisfaction and impair your fertility. According to researchers, the cortisol hormone negatively affects testosterone. When cortisol goes up, testosterone levels tend to go down. You can manage your stress through meditation, spending time with friends, playing games, and more. Getting adequate sleep is also necessary for maintaining sperm health.
Other than these, get enough vitamins C and D, and zinc, avoid using a laptop on your lap, and wear tight clothing that raises the testicular temperature.
Also Read – Treatment Options for Male Infertility
Conclusion
Semen quality plays a key role in successful pregnancy. From successful fertilization to the development of healthy embryo implantation, sperm quality is important for a successful IVF process. Couples can get guidance from the best IVF centre in Lucknow for a personalized treatment plan based on their evaluation.
