Male sperm is the reproductive cell that is responsible for fertilizing the female egg and initiating pregnancy.

Understanding the characteristics of male sperm is essential for family planning, fertility evaluation, and diagnosis of certain male infertility conditions. Here are the typical characteristics of male sperm:.

The Anatomy of Male Sperm

Male sperm or spermatozoa are microscopic cells that measure about 0.05 mm in length. Spermatozoa have three distinct parts:.

Head of the Sperm

The head of the sperm contains the genetic information (DNA) that will be transmitted to the female egg.

The head of sperm is shaped like a pointed oval and covered by an acrosome cap that contains enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the egg’s protective layers.

Middle Part of the Sperm

The middle part of the sperm is called the midpiece. The midpiece carries the energy source for the sperm’s mobility, the mitochondria.

This makes the midpiece the powerhouse of the sperm, providing the energy to propel the sperm forward towards the egg.

Tail of the Sperm

The tail of the sperm is known as the flagellum, which helps the sperm move forward towards the egg through propulsion.

The tail of the sperm comprises nine pairs of microtubules that form the outer covering and two central microtubules that propel the tail.

Quantity and Concentration of Sperm

The normal semen volume for a male during ejaculation is about 2-5 milliliters. The concentration of sperm should be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

Morphology of Sperm

Sperm morphology refers to the shape and structure of the sperm. The ideal sperm must have a normal shape and size to function optimally in fertilizing the female egg. A sperm with a poorly formed head or misshapen tail may be unable to fertilize the egg.

The criteria for normal sperm morphology is over 4% for a typical semen sample.

Motility of Sperm

Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to move freely and actively. Sperm motility is assessed based on the percentage of sperm that are active, and how well they’re moving.

The ideal sperm motility rate is at least 40% of the sperm must be motile with at least 32% of the sperm meeting strict criteria for forward progressive movement.

Viability of Sperm

The viability of sperm refers to their ability to survive and remain functional in the female reproductive tract. If a large number of sperm are dead or non-functional, they may not be able to fertilize the egg.

The recommended minimum vitality for sperm in a typical semen sample is at least 58% of the sperm should be alive after an hour of evaluation.

Agglutination of Sperm

In some cases, sperm cells may clump or stick together, a condition referred to as agglutination. This condition can impair the ability of sperm to move freely and reach its destination, thus leading to fertility issues.

Conclusion

The typical characteristics of male sperm are essential in understanding male fertility, defining male infertility, and diagnosing certain male fertility issues.

The morphology, motility, and viability of sperm are crucial factors in the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg and initiate pregnancy.