QuestionHello. My husband and I are undergoing fertility treatments and just had our first failed IUI. My husband and I are both of normal weight and have a healthy lifestyle. All of my fertility tests have always come back with normal results. Our previous RE (who helped us achieve pregnancy with our first born 3 years ago) blamed our fertility struggles on my husband's sperm and noted that he had borderline count and motility and low morphology. Due to our previous RE relocating, we recently had to start seeing another RE who concluded that my husband's sperm was 'normal' and not the contributing factor to our combined infertility. Since this is different than what we expected, I would really appreciate a second opinion. See results below:
Liquefaction: 40 (normal 15-60 mins)
Volume: 6 (normal 2-8 ml)
pH: 7.5 (normal 7.2-7.5)
Viscosity: 2 (normal 0)
Aggiutination: 1 (normal 0)
Appearance: Opaque
Count: 28.1 M/ml (normal 20-250 M/ml)
% Motility: 56 (normal >50%)
Total motile in Speciman: 94.4
Progression: 3 (normal 3-4)
% Morphology: 4 (normal >4%)
Debris: Yes
Round Cells: 2 (normal < 1 M/ml)
Diagnosis - Normal
Comments: 1-2 Round cells/HPF
I would appreciate any feedback that you have as to whether you would be concerned about achieving pregnancy with these results. Thanks in advance for your help.
AnswerHello Josie from the U.S. (Texas),
I guess I get to break the tie as the third opinion. Based on the 2010 WHO guidelines, the semen results presented above are normal. The main parameters of count (28 Million), motility (56%) and morphology (4%) meet the minimal acceptable levels of the guidelines. The morphology is borderline, however. Assuming there are no other problems, you should be able to achieve a pregnancy with these parameters. IUI may be the optimal treatment.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf. Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate
