How much does sperm morphology affect fertility? This refers to the concept of how well-formed or normal the sperm appear through a microscope, which can provide clues about fertility potential. For instance, if a sperm sample shows a low percentage of normal-shaped sperm, it may indicate a lower probability of successful conception during intercourse or fertility treatments like IUI or IVF.
This topic is significant because sperm morphology has been associated with fertility outcomes. Studies have found that men with higher sperm morphology tend to have better chances of conceiving naturally or achieving pregnancy success with assisted reproductive technologies. In 1966, Dr. David Mortimer invented the Tygerberg Strict Criteria, which established standardized criteria for assessing sperm morphology, leading to more accurate and consistent evaluations.