Episode Details
Back to EpisodesWhy even normal tested sperm can be negatively impacting your fertility
Description
A typical semen analysis measures basic parameters such as sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and volume, but these surface-level metrics do not fully reflect a sperm cell’s true reproductive potential. Fertilization and healthy embryo development depend on deeper factors like DNA integrity, chromosomal normality, epigenetic quality, and the sperm’s ability to properly activate the egg after fertilization—none of which are revealed in a standard test. For example, sperm with normal count and movement can still carry significant DNA fragmentation, which may impair embryo development or increase miscarriage risk. Additionally, semen analysis does not assess how sperm interact with the egg, support early cell division, or contribute to long-term embryo viability. As a result, a “normal” semen analysis does not necessarily guarantee optimal fertility or the ability to create a healthy embryo.