Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSperm CompositionSperm ProductionSperm AnalysisFertility ChallengesLow and High CountsFertility Assistance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Sperm Composition
Sperm Production
Sperm Analysis
Fertility Challenges
Low and High Counts
Fertility Assistance
This article explains what sperm are, including their types and composition, their role in reproduction, and how many sperm cells are needed to achieve pregnancy. It also explores ways to improve sperm counts if you are faced with infertility.
Sebastian Condrea / Getty Images
Sperm Composition and Production
Sperm cells, also known asspermatozoa, serve one purpose in the human body: to fertilize the egg (ovum).
Each sperm cell is comprised of three parts:
Each sperm cell carries 23 chromosomes that provide the father’s genetic information. When fertilization occurs, these chromosomes combine with 23 chromosomes from the egg, creating a fused cell with 46 chromosomes called azygote.
Among the 23 chromosomes that each parent contributes, one will be a sex chromosome. Sperm carry an X or a Y chromosome, while the egg carries an X chromosome. If an XX pairing is typical for a biologically female offspring, then an XY pairing is typical for a biologically male offspring.
A Tour of the Male Reproductive Tract
Spermatogenesis and Life Cycle of Sperm
Spermatogenesis is the biological process responsible for the production of sperm that takes around 74 days from start to finish.It starts when thepituitary glandsecretes two hormones (chemical messengers) that act on the testicles in different ways:
Once the immature sperm cells have tails, they move from the testes into a coiled tube (called theepididymis), where they will continue to mature for the next five weeks.
Around 300 million sperm are ejected with each ejaculation. This many are needed because only around 1 million make it into thefallopian tube, where the egg starts its descent toward theuterus(womb).Of those that reach the egg, only a few hundred are viable for fertilization.
The Science of Male Orgasms
Sperm Count Across a Male Lifetime
Sperm cells are produced continually, starting from the onset of puberty right through old age. Although fertility in females terminates with the onset ofmenopause, a male can continue to produce sperm for the rest of their life. In rare cases, some have been known to induce pregnancy well into their 90s.
Studies vary, but over the course of a lifetime, a male can produce close to a trillion sperm cells.Even so, the ability to achieve conception can start to decline even if sperm counts remain relatively steady.
Changing Patterns of Fertility
Sperm Count for Conception and Pregnancy
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive despite having vaginal sexual intercourse for at least one year. Around half of all cases are the result of male infertility,of which 90% involve sperm abnormalities.
A sperm count, also known as a semen analysis, provides valuable information about problems that can lead to infertility. The test counts the number of sperm in your semen and also evaluates their shape and movement along with the acidity, volume, and appearance of semen.
The results of a sperm analysis are generally interpreted as follows:
When Is a Sperm Count Low?Your sperm count is considered low—and your odds of fertility reduced—if there are fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or fewer than 39 million sperm per ejaculation. This is known medically asoligozoospermia.
When Is a Sperm Count Low?
Your sperm count is considered low—and your odds of fertility reduced—if there are fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or fewer than 39 million sperm per ejaculation. This is known medically asoligozoospermia.
7 Best At-Home Sperm Tests
Sperm Life After Unprotected Sex
Theduration of sperm survivalcan make a difference between your ability to conceive and not conceive.
However, some factors can increase or decrease survival times, including:
What Changes Sperm Count?
Many things can lower your sperm count. Some of these factors are modifiable (meaning you can change them), while others are non-modifiable (meaning that you can’t).
Certain factors can also increase your sperm count.
Lower Sperm
Oligozoospermia can sometimes be idiopathic (meaning of unknown origin). More often than not, the cause is known and diagnosed during testing.
Non-modifiable risk factors for low sperm counts include:
Modifiable risk factors for low sperm countinclude:
Reversing Modifiable RisksBy cutting back on alcohol, losing excess weight, quitting cigarettes, managing stress, and improving sleep habits, you may improve your sperm count and quality. Switching to boxers and loose-fitting trousers may also help.
Reversing Modifiable Risks
By cutting back on alcohol, losing excess weight, quitting cigarettes, managing stress, and improving sleep habits, you may improve your sperm count and quality. Switching to boxers and loose-fitting trousers may also help.
Higher Sperm
A high sperm count should not be confused withhyperspermia. Hyperspermia is a condition in which you produce large amounts of semen, generally above 7 milliliters (or 1.5 teaspoons).
The only other concern is that hyperspermia can dilute the relative volume of sperm in your semen, leading to a loss of fertility no more or less severe than hypospermia (low semen volume).
Causes of Infertility in Males and Females
Sperm Fertility Assistance
Male infertility related to sperm may be due to oligozoospermia (a low sperm count),teratozoospermia(abnormal sperm),asthenozoospermia(abnormal sperm motility), orazoospermia(a total absence of sperm).
The treatment of these and other sperm abnormalities may require the care of aurologist(who specializes in male infertility) or areproductive endocrinologist(who specializes in hormonal disorders affecting fertility).
Depending on the cause, the healthcare provider may recommend:
Summary
Between 100 and 200 million sperm cells are produced each day, with around 300 million released during each ejaculation. Roughly 1 trillion sperm cells are produced over the course of a lifetime.
A low sperm count is when there are fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or fewer than 39 million sperm per ejaculation. Many conditions affect sperm count, quality, and motility. A sperm analysis is the first step in diagnosing the cause of male infertility and dispensing the appropriate treatment.
How to Improve Your Sperm Quality
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fuchs S, Goldenfeld M, Divri M, Librach C, Baum M.The lifetime cost of reproductive potential – who spends the most?bioRxiv.2021:3(22):432784. doi:10.1101/2021.03.22.432784Griswold MD.Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis.Physiol Rev.2016;96(1):1–17. doi:10.1152/physrev.00013.2015Bertolla RP.Sperm biology and male reproductive health.Sci Rep.2020;10:21879: doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78861-7Zapata LEC, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA.Genetics and epigenetics of the X and Y chromosomes in the sexual differentiation of the brain.Int J Mol Sci.2022;23(20):12288. doi:10.3390/ijms232012288Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Perez-Cerezales S, Boryshpolets S, Eisenbach M.Behavioral mechanisms of mammalian sperm guidance.Asian J Androl.2015;17(4):628–632. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.154308Reynaud K, Schuss Z, Rouach N, Holcman D.Why so many sperm cells?Commun Integr Biol. 2015;8(3). doi:10.1080/19420889.2015.1017156Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores HA, Hotaling JM.Fertility in the aging male: a systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022;118(6):1022–1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Benet J, Amenqual MJ, Ribas-Maynous J.Decline of sperm quality over the last two decades in the south of Europe: a retrospective study in infertile patients.Biology.2023:12(1):17. doi:10.3390/biology12010070American Urological Associations.Male infertility.Kumar N, Singh AK.Trends of male factor infertility, an important cause of infertility: a review of literature.J Hum Reprod Sci.2015;8(4):191-196. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.170370University of Rochester Medical Center.Semen analysis.Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R.Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology.Andrologia.2021;53(2):e13614. doi:10.1111/and.13614University of California, San Francisco.Conception: how it works.Ferreira-Poblete A.The probability of conception on different days of the cycle with respect to ovulation: an overview.Adv Contracept.1997;13(2-3):83-95. doi:10.1023/a:1006527232605Natural Family Planner Teachers Association.How your fertility works.Dhumai SS, Naik P, Dakshinamurthy S, Sullia K.Semen pH and its correlation with motility and count - a study in subfertile men.JBRA Assist Reprod.2021;25(2):172–175. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20200080Hoang-Thi AP, Dang-Thi AT, Phan-Van S, et al.The impact of high ambient temperature on human sperm parameters: a meta-analysis.Iran J Public Health.2022;51(4):710–723. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LFC, Omonkhua A, et al.Causes and risk factors for male infertility: a scoping review of published studies.Int J Gen Med.2022;15:5985–5997. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S363959Rahban R, Nef S.Regional difference in semen quality of young men: a review on the implication of environmental and lifestyle factors during fetal life and adulthood.Basic Clin Androl.2020;30:16. doi:10.1186/s12610-020-00114-4Zhang YJ, Zhong A, Zhu WJ.Evaluation on sperm parameters of ejaculates with hyperspermia.J Reproduction Contraception. 2015;26(3):131–134. doi:10.7669/j.issn.1001-7844.2015.03.0131Assidi M.Infertility in men: advances towards a comprehensive and integrative strategy for precision theranostics.Cells.2022;11(10):1711. doi:10.3390/cells11101711Schlegel PN, Sigman M, Collura B, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men: AUA/ASRM guideline part II.J Urol.2021;205(1):44-51. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001520
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fuchs S, Goldenfeld M, Divri M, Librach C, Baum M.The lifetime cost of reproductive potential – who spends the most?bioRxiv.2021:3(22):432784. doi:10.1101/2021.03.22.432784Griswold MD.Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis.Physiol Rev.2016;96(1):1–17. doi:10.1152/physrev.00013.2015Bertolla RP.Sperm biology and male reproductive health.Sci Rep.2020;10:21879: doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78861-7Zapata LEC, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA.Genetics and epigenetics of the X and Y chromosomes in the sexual differentiation of the brain.Int J Mol Sci.2022;23(20):12288. doi:10.3390/ijms232012288Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Perez-Cerezales S, Boryshpolets S, Eisenbach M.Behavioral mechanisms of mammalian sperm guidance.Asian J Androl.2015;17(4):628–632. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.154308Reynaud K, Schuss Z, Rouach N, Holcman D.Why so many sperm cells?Commun Integr Biol. 2015;8(3). doi:10.1080/19420889.2015.1017156Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores HA, Hotaling JM.Fertility in the aging male: a systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022;118(6):1022–1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Benet J, Amenqual MJ, Ribas-Maynous J.Decline of sperm quality over the last two decades in the south of Europe: a retrospective study in infertile patients.Biology.2023:12(1):17. doi:10.3390/biology12010070American Urological Associations.Male infertility.Kumar N, Singh AK.Trends of male factor infertility, an important cause of infertility: a review of literature.J Hum Reprod Sci.2015;8(4):191-196. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.170370University of Rochester Medical Center.Semen analysis.Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R.Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology.Andrologia.2021;53(2):e13614. doi:10.1111/and.13614University of California, San Francisco.Conception: how it works.Ferreira-Poblete A.The probability of conception on different days of the cycle with respect to ovulation: an overview.Adv Contracept.1997;13(2-3):83-95. doi:10.1023/a:1006527232605Natural Family Planner Teachers Association.How your fertility works.Dhumai SS, Naik P, Dakshinamurthy S, Sullia K.Semen pH and its correlation with motility and count - a study in subfertile men.JBRA Assist Reprod.2021;25(2):172–175. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20200080Hoang-Thi AP, Dang-Thi AT, Phan-Van S, et al.The impact of high ambient temperature on human sperm parameters: a meta-analysis.Iran J Public Health.2022;51(4):710–723. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LFC, Omonkhua A, et al.Causes and risk factors for male infertility: a scoping review of published studies.Int J Gen Med.2022;15:5985–5997. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S363959Rahban R, Nef S.Regional difference in semen quality of young men: a review on the implication of environmental and lifestyle factors during fetal life and adulthood.Basic Clin Androl.2020;30:16. doi:10.1186/s12610-020-00114-4Zhang YJ, Zhong A, Zhu WJ.Evaluation on sperm parameters of ejaculates with hyperspermia.J Reproduction Contraception. 2015;26(3):131–134. doi:10.7669/j.issn.1001-7844.2015.03.0131Assidi M.Infertility in men: advances towards a comprehensive and integrative strategy for precision theranostics.Cells.2022;11(10):1711. doi:10.3390/cells11101711Schlegel PN, Sigman M, Collura B, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men: AUA/ASRM guideline part II.J Urol.2021;205(1):44-51. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001520
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fuchs S, Goldenfeld M, Divri M, Librach C, Baum M.The lifetime cost of reproductive potential – who spends the most?bioRxiv.2021:3(22):432784. doi:10.1101/2021.03.22.432784Griswold MD.Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis.Physiol Rev.2016;96(1):1–17. doi:10.1152/physrev.00013.2015Bertolla RP.Sperm biology and male reproductive health.Sci Rep.2020;10:21879: doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78861-7Zapata LEC, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA.Genetics and epigenetics of the X and Y chromosomes in the sexual differentiation of the brain.Int J Mol Sci.2022;23(20):12288. doi:10.3390/ijms232012288Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Perez-Cerezales S, Boryshpolets S, Eisenbach M.Behavioral mechanisms of mammalian sperm guidance.Asian J Androl.2015;17(4):628–632. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.154308Reynaud K, Schuss Z, Rouach N, Holcman D.Why so many sperm cells?Commun Integr Biol. 2015;8(3). doi:10.1080/19420889.2015.1017156Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores HA, Hotaling JM.Fertility in the aging male: a systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022;118(6):1022–1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Benet J, Amenqual MJ, Ribas-Maynous J.Decline of sperm quality over the last two decades in the south of Europe: a retrospective study in infertile patients.Biology.2023:12(1):17. doi:10.3390/biology12010070American Urological Associations.Male infertility.Kumar N, Singh AK.Trends of male factor infertility, an important cause of infertility: a review of literature.J Hum Reprod Sci.2015;8(4):191-196. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.170370University of Rochester Medical Center.Semen analysis.Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R.Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology.Andrologia.2021;53(2):e13614. doi:10.1111/and.13614University of California, San Francisco.Conception: how it works.Ferreira-Poblete A.The probability of conception on different days of the cycle with respect to ovulation: an overview.Adv Contracept.1997;13(2-3):83-95. doi:10.1023/a:1006527232605Natural Family Planner Teachers Association.How your fertility works.Dhumai SS, Naik P, Dakshinamurthy S, Sullia K.Semen pH and its correlation with motility and count - a study in subfertile men.JBRA Assist Reprod.2021;25(2):172–175. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20200080Hoang-Thi AP, Dang-Thi AT, Phan-Van S, et al.The impact of high ambient temperature on human sperm parameters: a meta-analysis.Iran J Public Health.2022;51(4):710–723. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LFC, Omonkhua A, et al.Causes and risk factors for male infertility: a scoping review of published studies.Int J Gen Med.2022;15:5985–5997. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S363959Rahban R, Nef S.Regional difference in semen quality of young men: a review on the implication of environmental and lifestyle factors during fetal life and adulthood.Basic Clin Androl.2020;30:16. doi:10.1186/s12610-020-00114-4Zhang YJ, Zhong A, Zhu WJ.Evaluation on sperm parameters of ejaculates with hyperspermia.J Reproduction Contraception. 2015;26(3):131–134. doi:10.7669/j.issn.1001-7844.2015.03.0131Assidi M.Infertility in men: advances towards a comprehensive and integrative strategy for precision theranostics.Cells.2022;11(10):1711. doi:10.3390/cells11101711Schlegel PN, Sigman M, Collura B, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men: AUA/ASRM guideline part II.J Urol.2021;205(1):44-51. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001520
Fuchs S, Goldenfeld M, Divri M, Librach C, Baum M.The lifetime cost of reproductive potential – who spends the most?bioRxiv.2021:3(22):432784. doi:10.1101/2021.03.22.432784
Griswold MD.Spermatogenesis: the commitment to meiosis.Physiol Rev.2016;96(1):1–17. doi:10.1152/physrev.00013.2015
Bertolla RP.Sperm biology and male reproductive health.Sci Rep.2020;10:21879: doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78861-7
Zapata LEC, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA.Genetics and epigenetics of the X and Y chromosomes in the sexual differentiation of the brain.Int J Mol Sci.2022;23(20):12288. doi:10.3390/ijms232012288
Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051-60. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
Perez-Cerezales S, Boryshpolets S, Eisenbach M.Behavioral mechanisms of mammalian sperm guidance.Asian J Androl.2015;17(4):628–632. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.154308
Reynaud K, Schuss Z, Rouach N, Holcman D.Why so many sperm cells?Commun Integr Biol. 2015;8(3). doi:10.1080/19420889.2015.1017156
Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores HA, Hotaling JM.Fertility in the aging male: a systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022;118(6):1022–1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035
Benet J, Amenqual MJ, Ribas-Maynous J.Decline of sperm quality over the last two decades in the south of Europe: a retrospective study in infertile patients.Biology.2023:12(1):17. doi:10.3390/biology12010070
American Urological Associations.Male infertility.
Kumar N, Singh AK.Trends of male factor infertility, an important cause of infertility: a review of literature.J Hum Reprod Sci.2015;8(4):191-196. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.170370
University of Rochester Medical Center.Semen analysis.
Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R.Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology.Andrologia.2021;53(2):e13614. doi:10.1111/and.13614
University of California, San Francisco.Conception: how it works.
Ferreira-Poblete A.The probability of conception on different days of the cycle with respect to ovulation: an overview.Adv Contracept.1997;13(2-3):83-95. doi:10.1023/a:1006527232605
Natural Family Planner Teachers Association.How your fertility works.
Dhumai SS, Naik P, Dakshinamurthy S, Sullia K.Semen pH and its correlation with motility and count - a study in subfertile men.JBRA Assist Reprod.2021;25(2):172–175. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20200080
Hoang-Thi AP, Dang-Thi AT, Phan-Van S, et al.The impact of high ambient temperature on human sperm parameters: a meta-analysis.Iran J Public Health.2022;51(4):710–723. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232
Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LFC, Omonkhua A, et al.Causes and risk factors for male infertility: a scoping review of published studies.Int J Gen Med.2022;15:5985–5997. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S363959
Rahban R, Nef S.Regional difference in semen quality of young men: a review on the implication of environmental and lifestyle factors during fetal life and adulthood.Basic Clin Androl.2020;30:16. doi:10.1186/s12610-020-00114-4
Zhang YJ, Zhong A, Zhu WJ.Evaluation on sperm parameters of ejaculates with hyperspermia.J Reproduction Contraception. 2015;26(3):131–134. doi:10.7669/j.issn.1001-7844.2015.03.0131
Assidi M.Infertility in men: advances towards a comprehensive and integrative strategy for precision theranostics.Cells.2022;11(10):1711. doi:10.3390/cells11101711
Schlegel PN, Sigman M, Collura B, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men: AUA/ASRM guideline part II.J Urol.2021;205(1):44-51. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001520
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
