Fact Sheet
What Is Considered Poor Sperm Motility?
sperm
A sperm's motility explains its ability to move progressively to the egg. Movement is essential for egg fertilization. Before undergoing any fertility testing, couples should understand what it means to have poor sperm motility.
Motility Classifications
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Motility ranges are classified as progressively motile, non-progressively motile, or non-motile. Non-progressively motile and non-motile are considered poor for fertility.
Total Motility
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Total motility is a term expressed as a percentage of sperm with any movement whatsoever. According to ColoState.edu, less than 50 percent total motility is unusual and low in humans.
Considerations
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Men who have long periods of sexual inactivity tend to temporarily experience poor sperm motility.
Testing Factors
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Examiners must protect sperm samples from the heat or cold. This could adversely affect sperm motility causing a false test.
Implications
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Poor sperm motility indicates male fertility concerns. Without adequate directional movement, there is a lower chance of sperm finding an egg naturally.
Photo Credit
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of bhav.bhav
eHow Article: What Is Considered Poor Sperm Motility?
