Sperm Motility: Causes, Treatment & More

Sperm health is determined by several factors such as sperm count, shape, motility, and the ability to penetrate a woman’s egg. Sperm motility is an important parameter determining the chance of pregnancy and is one of the major causes of male infertility.

What Is Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility is the ability of sperm to move or swim. Sperm should be able to move in the woman’s body to fertilise the female egg.

In one ejaculation, around 40 million sperm are present, but all of them are not motile. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), in a healthy man with normal fertility, at least 40 per cent of the total sperm in a single ejaculate should be motile. Among them, at least 32 per cent of the total sperm should move forward in a straight line. If the count is less, it is considered low sperm motility.

Why Do Sperms Swim?

For a pregnancy to occur, sperms should be able to swim and travel through a woman’s cervix and uterus to reach the egg. Once it meets its destination, fertilisation occurs, which results in pregnancy.

If, for any reason, sperms don’t move forward efficiently, it reduces the chances of sperm reaching the egg. Low sperm motility decreases the chances of pregnancy, leading to male factor infertility.

Motility Measurements in a Semen Analysis

In a semen analysis, sperm motility is evaluated along with other parameters of sperm health. Sperm motility can be measured in the following ways:

Total motile sperm count (TMSC): It shows the total amount of sperm moving in a single ejaculation. Over 20 million total motile sperm count is considered normal.
Percentage motile: It measures the total percentage of sperm moving in a single ejaculation. As per the WHO reference range, 40-81 percentage motile sperm should be present in a single ejaculation.
Percentage motile concentration: It is a measure of the moving sperm in one measurement of semen. It is expressed as millions of cells per millilitre.
Average path velocity (VAP): It calculates the speed at which the sperms are moving. It is expressed in microns per second (um/sec). A minimum speed of 25 micrometres per second is required for healthy sperm.

Progressive Motility, Non-progressive Motility, and Total Motility

Sperms move in different ways. They either swim in a straight line or a zig-zag manner. But just the movement of sperm is not enough to fertilise a woman’s eggs.

For instance, sperm that just vibrates in its place is considered motile, but it can’t swim its way up the female body. Therefore, the movement of sperm should be efficient enough to meet the female egg.

Based on how sperms move, there are different types of sperm motility:

Progressive sperm motility: Sperm moves forward in a straight line or large circles. Progressive motility of 25 micrometres per second is required for sperm to pass through the female cervix and reach the egg.
Non-progressive sperm motility: When sperm do not move forward in a straight line or move in tight close circles, it is considered non-progressive motility.
Total motility: It is the total percentage of sperm that are moving. It includes both progressive and non-progressive movements. In a normal fertile man, total sperm motility should be 40-80 per cent.

At least 32 per cent of the total sperm in a single ejaculation should have progressive motility in a healthy man with a normal fertility level.

Causes of Low Sperm Motility

The reasons behind low sperm motility vary from person to person. In some cases, the cause of low sperm motility remains unexplained. The most common causes of low sperm motility are:

1) Genetic factors:

In some cases, low sperm motility is because of a genetic disorder. It can be due to chromosomal defects like Klinefelter’s Syndrome (when a boy is born with an extra X chromosome), cystic fibrosis (severe damage to lungs or any other system), or Kallmann’s Syndrome (delayed or absent puberty).

Testicular factors: Testicles can be affected, leading to low sperm count and motility. These factors include
Damage to testicles
Undescended testicles
Birth defect in testicles
Testicular cancer
Testicular surgery

2) Medical conditions:

Certain medical conditions can affect sperm health and lead to low sperm motility. Such conditions include

Varicocele
Infections to testicles and epididymis
Hormonal imbalance
Deficiency of vitamins C or B12
Celiac disease
Disorders of male accessory organs
Long-term use of medications like anabolic steroids

3) Lifestyle factors:

Daily routine can affect the fertility health of men. Certain lifestyle factors that can result in low sperm motility are:

Excessive smoking
Alcohol and tobacco use
Use of drugs like cannabis, cocaine, and marijuana
Stress
Depression
Overweight conditions
Excessive sex
Poor nutrition
Wearing tight boxers and jeans

4) Environmental factors:

Sperm health is affected by overexposure to certain environmental conditions, as described below:

Overheated testicles may be due to prolonged sitting, putting a laptop on a lap, and frequent sauna baths.
Exposure to radiations including the radiofrequency from cell phones and laptops
Exposure to heavy metals, including iodised salts
Exposure to harmful chemicals like toluene, benzene, etc.

5) Work-induced factors:

Certain occupations are linked to increased risk of infertility, such as jobs involving repeated trauma to the pelvic region. They include jobs like painting, truck driving, or anything that calls for prolonged sitting.

Sperm Motility Percentage for Pregnancy

For a pregnancy to occur, a single ejaculation should have at least 40 percent motile sperm. Around 32 per cent of all sperm should move with forwarding progression and in a straight-line motion. The speed of the motile sperm should be at least 25 micrometres per second.

A person with low sperm motility is diagnosed with asthenospermia. If a person has no other issue other than low sperm motility, it may lead to pregnancy. If low motility is associated with other problems like slow progressive motility or non-progressive motility with less than 5-micrometres-per-second movement, the chances of achieving pregnancy are further reduced.

Diagnosis

Symptoms include problems with ejaculation or erection, change in sexual desire, change in hair growth, any pain or lump in testicles and most importantly, not being able to achieve pregnancy with your partner after trying for a year.

If a man is experiencing such symptoms, the consulting doctor may ask him about his family history and detailed personal history. The doctor will prescribe a semen analysis to detect male fertility problems.

A semen analysis gives a measure of sperm motility and count. It is also used to check the health of male genital tracts, accessory organs, and ejaculation. In semen analysis, a sample of semen is collected. Before giving the test sample, the consulting doctor will ask the individual to

Refrain from sex for 2-7 days
Refrain from alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or smoking (can affect the test results)
Share information about medications, vitamin supplements, drugs, and herbs currently consumed, if any

The semen sample is collected using one of the different methods. A few of them are:

At home, by having sex using a condom
By masturbating at testing facilities
By a healthcare provider inserting a vacuum device around the penis that results in ejaculation

Sperm in semen samples can vary in quality and quantity. Therefore, two samples are collected within 2-4 weeks. A few precautions should be kept in mind while collecting a semen sample:

It should be collected in a sterile container provided by the healthcare provider.
Do not use commercial condoms for sample collection as they may have lubricants or spermicides. They can taint the results.
Do not store the sample in the refrigerator.
Hold it close during transportation to keep it at body temperature.
The sample should be delivered for laboratory process within an hour after ejaculation for best results.

The test results of a semen analysis give the measurement of:

Semen volume
Total sperm count
Sperm concentration
Vitality percentage of sperm (percentage of live sperm)
Semen pH or acidity
Liquefaction time (time taken by sperm to become a watery substance from jelly-like substance)
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology (shape and size of sperm)

In semen analysis, motility of 40-80 percent is considered normal. If motility is less than 40 per cent, it is considered low sperm motility. Also, if less than 32 per cent of all sperm are progressively motile, the person is diagnosed with low sperm motility. In semen analysis, sperm motility is evaluated in the following terms:

Total motile sperm count (TMSC)
Percentage motile
Percentage motile concentration
Average path velocity (VAP)

Many laboratories follow certain grades of sperm motility. Though these differ, they are generally defined as

Grade 0 or Grade D: No or zero sperm motility
Grade 1 or Grade C: Sluggish movement with minimum forward progression
Grade 2 or Grade B: Decent sperm activity with forwarding progression
Grade 3 or Grade A: Strong sperm activity with forwarding progression

Along with the semen analysis, the doctor may also prescribe genetic tests or hormonal tests to diagnose sperm motility issues.

One thing to be kept in mind is a person with low sperm motility can be fertile, and a person with high sperm motility can be subfertile. Male fertility depends upon several factors considered in making a diagnosis.

How to Increase Sperm Motility?

Poor sperm motility leads to male infertility. Early diagnosis of male fertility problems will improve the odds of improving sperm health and achieving pregnancy. Identifying the underlying cause with the help of a medical practitioner is important.

Once you find out the reason behind low sperm motility, you can move forward with the treatment options available. Some possible reasons for the condition and solutions are:

In some men, poor sperm motility is due to lifestyle factors like drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption or heavy smoking. In such cases, certain lifestyle modifications can help.
People with poor nutrition, deficiency of vitamins and minerals or are overweight should make some dietary changes. They should include vegetables, fruits and nuts rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 in their diet. They can also take selenium supplements and vitamins as per their doctor’s advice to increase sperm motility and improve sperm health.
There is a connection between the quality of sperm and the temperature of the scrotum. So, wear loose-fitting underpants and jeans. Do not sit in one place for a long time. If you are working in a high-temperature zone, take breaks between work.
If low sperm motility is due to underlying medical conditions like varicocele or low hormone levels, take treatment as per the advice of the consulting doctor. It may involve medications or surgical procedures. Most importantly, don’t stress yourself as that too affects sperm health.

If you cannot increase sperm motility even after trying the above-mentioned methods, you can consider reproductive techniques like artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilisation to achieve pregnancy.

Lifestyle Modifications and Male Infertility

Men’s overall health is correlated to their fertility health. Male fertility is affected by several factors such as sperm shape, count, motility, the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg, and many other complex biochemical issues.

If the sperm count or motility is low, it can cause infertility, though it may not be the only factor. Eating right and incorporating a few lifestyle modifications can support healthy sperm motility.

You can make certain daily routine choices to improve fertility. A few such healthy changes you can make are:

Quit smoking
Reduce alcohol intake
Exercise daily
Stop intake of marijuana
Do not take anabolic steroids
Stop testosterone supplements
Keep your weight in check
Reduce the use of mobile phones
Wear loose boxers
Get proper sleep

Food to Increase Sperm Motility Fast

Food has a profound effect on sperm health. A healthy sperm takes around 70-90 days to develop. Any lifestyle modification and dietary change during this period will positively impact sperm health.

You must ensure you are getting all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for your body to produce healthy sperm. The nutrients required for healthy sperm motility are:

Carnitine
Coenzyme Q10
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Omega 3s

A few specific foods contain these nutrients and are known to improve sperm health. Food that increases sperm motility are:

Salmon
Tuna fish
Pork
Oysters
Sardines
Liver
Brazil nuts
Garlic
Pomegranate juice
Seeds like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds
Fruits like mangoes, avocados, tomatoes, and oranges
Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and beans
Nuts like walnuts, almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts

As per studies, certain foods can harm sperm. They should be avoided by men with low sperm motility and fertility issues. These foods are:

1) Processed meat:

It includes hot dogs, bacon, salami, beef jerky. They alter sperm motility and decrease its count.

2) Trans fats:

They affect heart health and decrease sperm health and count.

3) Soy products:

They have phytoestrogens that affect sperm health. As per studies, excess intake of soy products can decrease sperm concentration in semen.

4) High-fat dairy products:

These include whole milk, cheese, and cream. As per studies, they are linked with decreased sperm motility and abnormal shape of sperm.

5) Pesticides:

These are a considerable cause for concern as they often end up in the food we consume. They contain bisphenol (BPA, a chemical used to make plastic) that slowly leeches into our food. They also affect fish and meat through water supplies. As per studies, they have xenoestrogens that affect sperm concentration and health.

A few food supplements are available in the market known to improve sperm motility. These are:

1) Ashwagandha:

Root extracts of ashwagandha are used in Indian Ayurveda practice to treat infertility in men. They improve testosterone levels and increase sperm count, volume and motility. As per studies, 675 mg of ashwagandha for 90 days can increase sperm motility by 57 per cent.

2) Shilajit:

This is an ancient herb used in the Indian Ayurveda system to enhance male fertility. It improves sexual stamina and testosterone levels and positively impacts overall health. As per studies, it increases sperm motility and sperm count.

3) Maca Roots:

Maca is a medicinal plant native to Peru. Its roots are dried and used to improve male fertility. As per studies, it improves sperm concentration and quality. It can also increase libido in both men and women.

Is It Possible to Get Pregnant With Low Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility is not the only factor that decides fertility. It also depends upon the sperm count, shape of the sperm, its ability to penetrate a female egg, and sperm motility. So, overall sperm health is essential for achieving pregnancy.

If sperm is healthy and only motility is low, pregnancy may occur. But if low sperm motility is accompanied by other problems, chances of pregnancy are reduced. In such cases, pregnancy is achieved with reproductive technologies. In these cases, the need for sperm to reach the egg on their own is bypassed. Such techniques include:

1) Intrauterine insemination (IUI):

It is also known as artificial insemination and involves collecting sperm, washing, and then examining it. From among the collected sperm, healthy motile sperm are inserted directly into the womb through a fine plastic tube.

2) In-vitro fertilisation (IVF):

It is beneficial in cases where both male and female fertility is compromised. In IVF technology, medications are given to females to produce eggs that are then removed from the ovaries. Then, the eggs are fertilised with sperm in the laboratory, resulting in embryos. Later, single or multiple embryos are transferred to the womb, developing into a child.

3) Sperm donation:

In this technology, healthy motile sperm are collected from the semen of the sperm donor, and the embryo is developed using IVF technology.

Summing Up on Sperm Motility

Sperm motility is the ability of sperm to reach the egg. Low sperm mobility can cause trouble in achieving pregnancy and lead to male infertility. It can be due to a genetic defect or any underlying medical condition.

Certain lifestyle modifications and dietary changes can improve low sperm motility and support overall male fertility health. An early diagnosis and the proper guidance of a consulting doctor will improve the odds.

If overall sperm health is good and low sperm motility is present, there are still chances of pregnancy. But if low sperm motility is accompanied by poor sperm health, it reduces the chances of achieving pregnancy. In such cases, reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilisation and artificial insemination can be helpful.

FAQs

Q. What is the normal motility of sperm?

Ans. In a single ejaculation, the total sperm count should be over 39 million. Of this, around 40-80 percent of sperm should be motile. This count includes both progressive and non-progressive motility. Also, around 32-75 percent of sperm should have progressive motility.

Q. Is 30 percent sperm motility good?

Ans. Men with sperm motility over 40 per cent tend to be fertile. Also, around 32 per cent of total sperm in a single ejaculate should have progressive sperm motility. A man with 30 percent sperm motility might be able to achieve pregnancy or might face trouble in doing so. It can be affected by some factors, but with this motility, success rates are not very high.

Q. What is the best sperm count?

Ans. As per WHO guidelines, a total sperm count of around 15 million per millilitre is considered healthy. This can be expressed as around 40 million sperm per ejaculation. Of this count, over 40 per cent of sperm should be motile. If the count is lower than 15 million per millilitre, it can lead to fertility issues.

Q. Does milk increase sperm count?

Ans. Milk has all the essential nutrients and is healthy for all. But when it comes to sperm health, full-fat milk can harm sperm count and motility. You can opt for low-fat milk, skim milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Low-fat versions of other dairy products like yoghurt and cheese also benefit sperm quality.

References

T K Biswas, S Pandit, S Mondal, S K Biswas, U Jana, T Ghosh, P C Tripathi, P K Debnath, R G Auddy, B Auddy, February 2010;Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20078516/
Vijay R. Ambiye, Deepak Langade, Swati Dongre, Pradnya Aptikar, Madhura Kulkarni, and Atul Dongre, November 2018;Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863556/
Roya Rozati, P P Reddy, P Reddanna, Rubina Mujtaba, December 2022;Role of environmental estrogens in the deterioration of male factor fertility - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12477510/
Jorge E Chavarro, Thomas L Toth, Sonita M Sadio, Russ Hauser, November 2008;Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18650557/M Afeiche, P L Williams, J Mendiola, A J Gaskins, N Jørgensen, S H Swan, J E Chavarro, May 2013;Dairy food intake in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among physically active young men - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23670169/