A semen analysis has shown that I have abnormal sperm morphology. What does this mean?

Answer From Sevann Helo, M.D.

Sperm morphology — the size and shape of sperm — is one factor that's examined as part of a semen analysis to evaluate male infertility. Sperm morphology results are reported as the percentage of sperm that appear normal when semen is viewed under a microscope.

Normal sperm have an oval head with a long tail. Abnormal sperm have head or tail defects — such as a large or misshapen head or a crooked or double tail. These defects might affect the ability of the sperm to reach and penetrate an egg. However, having a large percentage of misshapen sperm isn't uncommon. Typically, only around 4% to 10% of the sperm in a semen sample are normal, meaning that the vast majority don't look perfect under the microscope.

Sperm morphology is poorly understood, and it can be subjective. Scores can vary on the same semen sample, in the same lab, using the same scoring techniques. Most male fertility experts agree that the role of sperm morphology in predicting pregnancy is unclear, and that it's a poor predictor of infertility unless nearly 100% of the sperm are abnormal.

Along with sperm morphology, a typical semen analysis also assesses:

  • Semen volume
  • Total sperm number
  • Sperm concentration
  • Vitality (percent alive)
  • Movement (motility)

An abnormal semen analysis doesn't mean that you are infertile. Many men with low semen analysis values can still father children — it just might take longer. If you and your partner aren't able to conceive through sexual intercourse, assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization might be an option.

With

Sevann Helo, M.D.

Women’s health topics - straight to your inbox

Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more. Click to view a preview and subscribe below.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Dec. 21, 2022 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Assisted reproductive technology
  2. Infertility — Not just a female condition
  3. Cushing syndrome
  4. Delayed ejaculation
  5. Erectile dysfunction dietary supplements
  6. Erectile dysfunction
  7. Erectile dysfunction: Nonoral treatments
  8. Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?
  9. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
  10. What is erectile dysfunction? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  11. Erectile dysfunction FAQs
  12. Erectile dysfunction medications
  13. Genetic testing
  14. In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  15. Is a home sperm test useful?
  16. Low sperm count
  17. Male infertility
  18. Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility?
  19. Mapping the Genome
  20. Retrograde ejaculation
  21. Surgical biopsy
  22. Testicle pain
  23. Vasectomy reversal
  24. Video: CVS
  25. Epididymovasostomy
  26. Vasovasostomy