'boderline' sperm test results, is there anything we can do to improve this?

[Janus]

We have just got the results of my partner's sperm test and they imply that they are not quite what they should be for his age, 43, and this is not so good! Volume was fine, Count was in the boderline region but not near the low end of this but Motility was on the cusp of 'boderline' and 'pathological', gulp! Morphology made no sense whatsoever, we were given a random number of 9 which doesn't relate to any figures I can find. Has anyone else had a similar result and known what, if anything, could be done to improve? I think lifestyle could be improved a bit, we both like to share a bottle of wine most evenings and he has heavier drinking sessions with friends on a Friday night, etc. It's the only thing I can think of.
Anyone have any ideas??
Many thanks.

Anecdotal only: I was having egg collection for IVF as was the lady I was sharing a room with. She was nervously awaiting the sperm analysis as in their previous attempt the sperm result was poorer than expected - they had had to go for ICSI in the end. It transpired that their previous attempt was during the Euro 2002 tournament and her dp had been drinking more than usual. 3 months later the sperm count had doubled and ICSI wasn't an issue.

I would suggest making the lifestyle changes and also look at some supplements - an increase of zinc is meant to be helpful.

Next door neighbours had this, (not here- elsewhere, they're all pensioners here LOL) and found that a serious diet makeover (apparently selenium in brazil nuts is excellent, and plenty of zinc) made the difference- well they now have two kids! They got someone to do an analysis by hair cutting (you'd have to google) but I wuld have though research of nutritional fertility would be adequate if it IS going to make a difference? Also the old adgaes of loose pants, cold baths and not too much sex are worth a go- anything really.

Good luck

Hi Janus My dh's have never been tested but I wanted to give them a vitamin boost so he takes most of the ones recommended on this link Plus one called Proxeed that Access Diagnostics sell.

SpermVitamins

I have read that alcohol, hot baths and lack or regular ejaculation isn't too good for them either. I think it can take around four months for a better lifestyle and vitamins to show their effects in the sperm.

I hope this helps

I also found this link helpful

vitaminsforfertility

Janus,

Some info re morphology for you:-

Morphology refers to the shape and structure of the sperm. A normal-looking sperm has an oval head and a tail seven to 15 times longer than the head. On a semen analysis, in which we look at sperm under the microscope, we can identify defective sperm by their large heads or strange tails -- kinked, doubled, or coiled.
The World Health Organization says good quality semen should contain 60 percent normal sperm morphology. (A closer evaluation called a strict morphology, or Kruger morphology, is more time-consuming and usually predicts normal sperm function when more than 15 percent are normal.) That means that a semen sample can include up to 40 percent abnormal sperm and still be considered fine.

One semen analysis is in itself not fully representative; further tests should be done. He ought to have a further semen analysis done anyway as a matter of course to see if the same problems re morphology recur.

Alcohol and smoking do have deleterious effects on sperm count and quality. He may want to consider cutting down on his alcohol consumption.

Vitamins like zinc won't do any harm at all but whether they will actually make any real difference longer term to the quality of sperm is very much debateable. Many drugs have been tried to improve both count and quality without success. I would certainly for instance be very wary of purchasing vitamins specifically marketed for fertility.

Sperms are very complicated things and there is much about them we do not understand.

No idea from this report whether you have sperm longevity problems, but we altered DH's longevity score by about 12 hours with high dose antioxidants for three months.

MY DH takes the mens vitamins with zinc and selenium etc in them. A few friends also told me that he should be eating plenty of nuts, dried fruits and seeds so I keep producing the odd bowl of the stuff for us both. We keep trying to cut down on the booze but we enjoy the odd glass or two (erm or three) of vino, but try and limit it to weekends only. I was also told by a few friend that if DH is a little older and mine is late 30's, that he should be pleasuring himself regularly as it increases the sperm count apparently. Tried all these things and still not PG tho

My DH has gone and bought himself a home test kit and I'm really dubious about it. He's testing next week. I'm worried about the results of these as I don't know how accurate they really are and I don't want a DH with a bruised ego over xmas!!

Apaprently one of the best souces of selenium in the diet (vitamins have bvariable uptake and benefits) is brazil nuts. Zinc is n things like eggs, it should be easy to find a conclusive list on the internet. FWIW I would always- and I have to follow a very complex diet with my eldest- go for dietary sources where possible over vitamins, and then as a personal preference I go for organic over that again, although I am aware the evidence is at best limited.

Atilla is (as ever) right in that the benefit of zinc etc is debatable. However, improving diet can never be anything but helpful, and a poor lifestyle can lead to deficiencies in nutrients, and its always a good starting point. At least he'll not be so likely to get a cold this winter LOL!

Get him some natural fibre loose boxers for christmas and turn the heating down a notch or two- won't hurt. And not too many hot baths either, those testicles like it cool!

Has anyone heard of Proxeed?

ZINC

I bought it from Access Diagnostics for dh to try. I didn't realise as I bought it with other things that it is v expensive £1.10 per twice daily sachet.

proxeedaccessdiagnostics

Proxeedwebsite

You can also buy the individual ingredients from Holland and Barratt online or in their shops which works out cheaper.