Understanding semen analysis results

[Tazzyduffy]

Husbands SA showed 143.4 million sperm, good motility but only 3.3% morphology (WHO). GP told us that this was essentially normal and didn't reduce our chance of conceiving, but result read 'suitable for IVF/ ICSI'. We have been referred to regional fertility centre. From my own exploration of this result, this is not good- to me it reads that our chance of natural conception is very slim. I'm 38, husband 41. My hormone levels were all ok. I'm so overwhelmed and don't know what to do. Any advice/ good news stories/ practical interpretation grarefully accepted!

Maybe the result saying suitable for IVF may meant that there were no abnormalities detected that would make the sperm unsuitable. If you're having tests and sperm analysis I would think the next step is naturally to be referred to a fertility clinic. Depending on what you've already had, there are tests and options available to you before you need to even consider IVF/ICSI.
Don't get disheartened just yet!

Thanks! I hope so. Just reading on line that 3.3 is very low for morphology and it is creating a lot of angst. Fingers crossed!

Hello Tazzy.

I'd like to start off by saying I'm no expert and can only give you the info I've gained from excessive googling. What I've read (and ive no idea of the truth) is that while the guidelines are higher than that, the average is generally lower, at around about 5%. Also, how long did you abstain for before the SA? I've read that the length of time abstaining can make a difference to 'the guys' morphology too. Overall, that seems to me to be an impressive count, so if I were you, I certainly wouldn't give up hope. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help, and only have vague answers, and I apologise and defer to others if my info is incorrect. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Thanks again! We abstained for 3 days before the sample. It is all so confusing. Our appointment isn't until June, so think we are going to go for a private consultation.

Here we go, I've just taken these from the WHO website:
Reference values

The results of the semen analysis conducted as part of an initial assessment should be compared with the following World Health Organization reference values:

semen volume: 1.5 ml or more

pH: 7.2 or more

sperm concentration: 15 million spermatozoa per ml or more

total sperm number: 39 million spermatozoa per ejaculate or more

total motility (percentage of progressive motility and non‑progressive motility): 40% or more motile or 32% or more with progressive motility

vitality: 58% or more live spermatozoa

sperm morphology (percentage of normal forms): 4% or more.

Thanks! We are well above on all scores apart from sperm morphology. And only a little under on it. Just keep trying!

Hi Tazzy, I wouldn't be too worried about those results - 143 million is an amazing number! To put it in perspective my DH had never managed higher than 12 million and his last morphology result was just 2%. If you think of it in terms of averages, 143 million is way above average, so even if he is slightly low on morphology (I think 5% is normal) he should still have a significant amount that are ok based on the amount.

Should he stop alcohol? The evidence seems inconclusive. He would not drink a lot, but there would be occasional binges (every 3-4 weeks). Would this impact on the low morphology?