Trying to Conceive

Sperm Count, Concentration and Motility

• Sperm Count and Concentration
• Sperm Motility and Why it is Important
• Fertell Tests Sperm Motility

If you’re a man, you probably have been trained by the media, your partner and your friends to believe that sperm count is crucial to successfully conceive a child. And if you’re a woman, your partner’s sperm count may start to enter your mind when you discuss starting a family. However, sperm count alone provides limited information to couples who are trying to conceive.


Sperm Count and Concentration

Sperm count and concentration are terms that are often used interchangeably.  In a typical semen sample of 2.0 to 5.0 milliliters, 20 million sperm per milliliter defines the minimum desired sperm count, according to World Health Organization guidelines.

Sperm count, however, only tells part of the story. A normal sperm count does not necessarily lead to conception.  A so-called ‘normal’ sperm count can still contain a high concentration of dead or abnormal sperm. And a low sperm count does not indicate sterility. There are factors beyond sperm count that assess a man’s reproductive health.

Sperm Motility and Why it is Important

Sperm motility is the sperms’ ability to swim and is measured by the percentage of sperm that swim forward in a semen sample. Sperm motility demonstrates male reproductive health more precisely than sperm count alone.  The World Health Organization sperm motility guideline is a minimum of 10 million motile sperm per milliliter of semen, or at least 50% of the sperm count.

The sperm motility measurement shows the percentage of sperm that can actually swim to fertilize an egg. This figure matters much more than sperm count, which includes sperm that are swimming or not swimming, sperm that may be dead or alive. Simply measuring a sperm count is of limited value and measuring sperm motility is crucial.

Fertell Tests Sperm Motility

Fertell is the only at-home fertility screening test that accurately analyzes sperm motility. After producing a semen sample, there are just a few simple steps to the test, such as pushing a button and turning a switch. The Fertell Male fertility test challenges the sperm to swim up a fluid-filled chamber, mimicking the cervical fluid that the sperm would have to swim through as it tries to reach the egg.

Because sperm motility tells you much more about your reproductive health than just sperm count, whether it is high or low sperm count, it is a primary indicator that a doctor looks for.  Fertell gives you specific results that you need in your steps toward conception.

 

 


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