The most common cause of male infertility is the pathology of the sperm head, which can be detected through sperm. Anomalies in the structure of the ejaculate is a morphological violation of the structure of the main part of the sperm - its head. As well as problems in the structure of the neck and tail, head disorders can occur as a result of failures in the hormonal system that has penetrated the body of the infection, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking, poor environmental conditions in the place of residence, and various injuries. To make such a diagnosis, 80% of the erupted sperm must have the wrong morphology.
Pathological and normal structure
Normal sperm without structural defects correspond to the following head characteristics:
- oval shape;
- smooth surface;
- total length varies from 3 to 5 mm;
- width - from 2 to 3 mm;
- there are no vacuole cells;
- acrosomes (apical bodies) are clearly visible.
Pathological can include sperm with the following distinctive characteristics:
- their head is characterized by an abnormal shape (conical or round);
- the head is non-standard in size (too large or, conversely, small);
- the sperm can have several heads at once, which is already departing from the accepted norm;
- the acrosome occupies less than 40% of the head or is completely absent;
- additional vacuoles are in the head.
The main causes of the violation
Today, problems with the sperm head or with other parts of the male seed can occur when various factors affect the human body. The main causes of pathology of the sperm head:
- problems with the production of hormones in the body;
- as a result of heredity;
- age-related chromosomal failure;
- the presence of an infectious lesion in the body;
- chronic inflammatory process in the genitals of a man;
- diseases resulting in some problems in sperm production;
- prolonged exposure to radiation;
- environmental issues;
- bad habits: taking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking, drug use;
- mechanical damage to the penis or testicles;
- prolonged depression, emotional depression, severe stress.
Often the main problem in conceiving a child in a couple is the infertility of one of the partners. It is possible to identify such a condition in a man by means of a spermogram, Kruger morphology assessment. How many sperm live in a woman? When the sperm enters the uterus, they continue to maintain their functions for 4-8 days.
Such an analysis will help determine their mobility, shape, structure, size and color. Diagnosis will help to identify all possible pathologies in the development of sperm, as well as calculate the percentage of possible pregnancy in a particular situation.
Problems with the hormonal background in a man can arise as a result of exposure to his physical or mental system. Stress, worries, pressure from the outside, excessive physical activity - all this can adversely affect human health. The hormonal background can change greatly when exposed to infections.
With a genetic predisposition, defects in the sperm head are inherited. Genetics is transmitted in 95 cases out of 100.
With age, the man’s body changes greatly, which greatly affects the quality of sperm. After the menopause, the ejaculate has a pathological structure due to the cessation of the production of androgen and testosterone.
Varicocele is another common pathology of ejaculate in men. Due to the expansion of the veins of the scrotum, seminal fluid acquires anatomical defects.
Shocks and various injuries can lead to teratozoospermia. Injuries include cuts and some surgical interventions.
Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages also adversely affect the condition of the head. Nicotine contributes to the destruction of the protective layer of the sperm, which impairs the immune defense. Alcohol does not allow male hormones to be produced by the body in the required amount, which leads to teratozoospermia.
It is important to remember that sometimes with abnormalities of the sperm head, a baby can still be conceived. But he is born with various pathological abnormalities.
The type and shape of the deformed sperm
When deformed, the head has either small or large size. In some cases, a man has double sperm heads. The main pathological forms of sperm:
- pear-shaped;
- conical;
- round;
- flattened;
- asymmetrical position.
Anomalies in the structure can occur not only in the head, but also in the neck and tail. If the neck of the gamete has an irregular structure, then the viability and activity of the sperm deteriorate greatly - it cannot move normally and reach the egg in time.
It is important to remember that the viability of the ejaculate is determined by the number of secreted sperm, as well as their shape and motion vector.
It is important to start treating the pathological form of sperm, as it will not pass on its own. With such a problem, a man, as a rule, does not feel any unpleasant symptoms and does not go to an appointment with a specialist. The presence of such a disease is most often detected with problems with conceiving a child during pregnancy planning.
Spermogram readings
When identifying the cause of problems with conception, two spouses are immediately subjected to diagnostic measures. A spermogram is assigned to a man. A healthy ejaculate may contain deformed gametes, but their number will not exceed the normal value. If there are more than 50% abnormal sperm, this will indicate problems with the sperm head.
In addition, a large (or insufficient) amount of secreted sperm can lead to problems with conceiving a child. In normal condition, their volume is not less than 1 ml. And sperm activity is quite high. All this together will affect the viability and quality of the male ejaculate.
But a spermogram can not always give accurate information about the state of sperm, so the doctor, as a rule, prescribes the following studies:
- Autoimmune test.
- Sperm analysis with washing.
- Determination of viability of sperm.
- Halo test and SDI test.
The autoimmune test helps to identify antibodies that prevent active sperm from adhering normally to the egg. A flush analysis helps determine the exact cause of the impaired sperm activity. A test of vitality will show the vitality of male gametes and their ability to reproduce their own kind. The halo test helps to find the break point in the DNA chain, the same is determined using the SDI test, but the information in this case is more complete.
It is important to remember that sperm quality is also strongly influenced by the presence or absence of stagnant processes in the genitals of a man, therefore it is very important to adhere to an active and correct lifestyle. This regimen will help improve the production of active and viable sperm.
How to take a spermogram? Before passing the tests, the attending specialist conducts a comprehensive study of the condition of the man. The examination will include the following diagnostic measures: bacterioscopic analysis of the collected ejaculate, general blood test, ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
What should be normal sperm activity? The doctor identifies the norm using a test according to the Kruger and WHO developments. Kruger analysis in determining sperm quality sets stricter standards.
For example, when conducting a test according to Kruger, the doctor considers the presence of 14% of fully capable spermatozoa to be the norm. Everything that does not meet the specified norm applies to anomalies. The Kruger test includes an examination of the state of sperm in all its parts - the shape of the head, the shape of the neck and tail. When conducting a survey on WHO developments, only an anomaly of the sperm head is taken into account.
Kruger analysis
Kruger spermogram helps determine the pathology of the head. Through such an analysis, the following indicators can be identified:
- sperm shape;
- features of their mobility;
- direction of their movement.
The analysis also indicates the amount of sperm in the secreted seminal fluid, the viscosity of the ejaculate, the total acidic environment and the volume of secreted seminal fluid at a time. To get complete information, ejaculate is collected two or three times.
Together with the Kruger analysis, doctors prescribe a MAR test, which helps determine the presence of antibodies. If the results of the examination are positive, then pathologies in the structure of the sperm head are present. Decoding of the analysis results is carried out by a professional reproductologist, who gives an assessment of sperm on the Kruger scale.
How to take a spermogram? To prepare for the examination, the patient must follow these rules:
- refrain from sexual intercourse (for several days);
- stop drinking alcohol;
- do not visit baths, pools, saunas, and also do not take hot baths for a long time.
When passing the analysis, the patient is offered to retire in a separate room for masturbation. The released seminal fluid is collected in a sterile container and given to the laboratory for examination.
Procedure results
A reproductologist carefully examines the condition of the seminal fluid through a microscope and draws a conclusion about its general condition. Morphological examination includes the identification of the form and structure of sperm. Healthy and full-bodied sperm with normal activity have a moving tail and an oval-shaped head. The direction of their movement is always direct, not winding. The number of sperm should reach 15 million per ml.
It is important to remember that in the ejaculate of every man there are inactive sperm. But their number should not be more than the number of full and active.
Sperm with an abnormal head can interfere with the full fertilization of the egg by healthy sperm, as they prevent them from moving normally.
A full-fledged and viable sperm has an oval-shaped head, a short neck and an active tail. Structural features will be determined by a special formula.
When the tails are separated from the head, the sperm ceases to be so active. In this case, the doctor reveals individual tails in the seminal fluid of a man.
Problems in the structure can be called differently:
- Teratozoospermia. The number of sperm with an anomaly of the head exceeds the set mark. They are not able to fertilize an egg.
- Akinosoospermia. Sperm are inactive and cannot move normally. For 2-3 months, this pathology can be cured with medications.
- Asthenozoospermia. The sperm in the ejaculate move slowly. This does not make a man infertile, but significantly reduces the chances of conception.
- Oligohoospermia. There are too few sperm in the secreted seminal fluid.
Modern diagnostic measures help not only to identify the pathology of the head, but also to identify all the problems in the structure of the necks and tails.
Medication
If the spermogram indicators are poor, then the doctor prescribes the patient a course of treatment with medications. Since there can be many sources of head anomaly, the treatment regimen for the pathology will be individual for each person.
If problems arose as a result of the spread of the infectious process, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. Inflammation is treated by taking anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal problems are eliminated through hormone therapy.
Varicocele with a bad spermogram can only be eliminated through surgery. After elimination of venous expansion, the state of sperm becomes better and is completely restored over time. Together with the classical medical procedures, the doctor prescribes a vitamin complex for a person, which helps restore sperm and improve their quality. In the treatment should be used:
- folic acid;
- products with zinc and iodine;
- concluded benefits for men in fish oil.
It is important to remember that at the time of treatment, a man should completely give up alcohol and smoking. Experts prohibit a person with such a diagnosis from going to saunas and exerting strong physical stress on the body. It is also forbidden to stay in hot water for a long time and raise body temperature.
Diet food
Treatment of pathology of the sperm head is carried out with the help of a proper diet. It is important for the patient to remove from the diet all canned and fatty foods, smoked, fried and difficult to digest products.
It’s best to add more of the following foods to your diet:
- steam fish;
- various nuts;
- fresh herbs, sea kale;
- boiled meat, liver.
Seafood is important for the quality of seminal fluid. They contain a large number of useful nutrients, trace elements, as well as proteins. You should start taking fish oil. The benefits of fish oil for men have long been proven by doctors, as it helps to improve sperm production.
Leading an active lifestyle
A man should remember that daily activity helps to maintain the health and condition of the reproductive system. If professional activity is associated with monotonous work in one place (driving a car, working in an office), it is important to add more activity to everyday life.
For example, jogging, walking, walking, swimming, visiting the gym have a positive effect on the state of vitality. If a person does not have free time to visit the gym, then you should try to walk to your work or home.
Alternative methods of treatment
Spermatogenesis is highly dependent on the food consumed, so treatment with herbs and tinctures in this case can give a good result. Folk remedies will help eliminate problems with the form of sperm and make them active.
Experts recommend starting to use herbal teas, replacing them with plain black tea. For example, the quality of the composition of the ejaculate is well influenced by the tincture of currant leaves - they can be dried in summer or autumn. Most often, after a month of taking currant tea, sperm improves.
It is important to remember that before starting treatment with alternative drugs, you should get the advice of a urologist or andrologist, since the causes of the pathology can be different. Reviews about the treatment of teratozoospermia with folk remedies are mostly positive.
Possible consequences
How many sperm live in a woman? According to doctors, they continue to live in the vagina from 20 minutes to several days. The viability of sperm will directly depend on the state of health of the man, the temperature regime and the quality of food taken.
It should be noted that sperm that has been in the vagina for longer than 3 weeks will not be able to fertilize the egg. In the presence of pathology of the sperm head in a man, full or partial infertility can occur.