Sperm Quality Assessment According to WHO Standards The quality of sperm is assessed based on criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate whether a man with normal fertility can conceive naturally through regular sexual intercourse. The standards are as follows: Semen Volume: Each ejaculation should produce at least 1.5 milliliters of semen. This is because not all semen deposited in the vagina flows directly into the uterus or fallopian tubes to meet the egg. Some semen is retained around the cervix, where thick mucus is produced to block foreign substances. Since sperm is naturally considered a foreign substance in the female body, this cervical mucus acts as a barrier. Therefore, an initial semen volume greater than 1.5 milliliters is necessary so that a sufficient amount of sperm can pass through to the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg. Sperm Concentration: The sperm concentration must be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Combining this with the minimum volume, at least 22.5 million sperm per ejaculation (1.5 ml × 15 million/ml) is required to meet the standard. Meeting these criteria indicates that natural intercourse can result in pregnancy under normal fertility conditions.
Sperm Quality Assessment According to WHO Standards
The quality of sperm is assessed based on criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate whether a man with normal fertility can conceive naturally through regular sexual intercourse. The standards are as follows:
- Semen Volume: Each ejaculation should produce at least 1.5 milliliters of semen. This is because not all semen deposited in the vagina flows directly into the uterus or fallopian tubes to meet the egg. Some semen is retained around the cervix, where thick mucus is produced to block foreign substances. Since sperm is naturally considered a foreign substance in the female body, this cervical mucus acts as a barrier. Therefore, an initial semen volume greater than 1.5 milliliters is necessary so that a sufficient amount of sperm can pass through to the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg.
- Sperm Concentration: The sperm concentration must be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Combining this with the minimum volume, at least 22.5 million sperm per ejaculation (1.5 ml × 15 million/ml) is required to meet the standard. Meeting these criteria indicates that natural intercourse can result in pregnancy under normal fertility conditions.
Is a sperm count of 4 million considered insufficient for natural pregnancy?
Is a Sperm Count of 4 Million Sufficient for Natural Conception?
It is important to clarify how the sperm count of 4 million is calculated and from what volume of semen this number is derived. To determine if it meets the standard criteria, we need to consider:
- Whether the sperm concentration is at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen,
- Or if the total sperm count per ejaculation is only 4 million.
If the total sperm count per ejaculation is 4 million, this is considered significantly below the WHO standard, which requires a minimum of approximately 22.5 million sperm per ejaculation (based on 1.5 ml × 15 million sperm/ml). In this case, the chances of natural conception are very low.
Information provided by Professor Poonsak Suchanwanich.