Sperm are male reproductive cells present in the ejaculate. A doctor can tell someone their sperm count using a test called semen analysis. The average sperm count is between 40 million and 300 million sperm per milliliter.
This number can vary between testing centers, with the above range coming from Resolve, a nonprofit fertility association.
A doctor may recommend a semen analysis for many reasons, such as to test for possible underlying causes of infertility, how well the reproductive organs are working, or whether a surgical procedure for sterility was successful.
In this article, we cover normal sperm counts, as well as what high or low sperm counts mean. We also discuss many other aspects of male fertility doctors test for during a semen analysis.
The average sperm count is usually between 40 million and 300 million sperm per milliliter (ml).
To test a person’s sperm count, a doctor will ask the person to ejaculate into a specimen cup. They will send this specimen to a laboratory, where technicians will evaluate the sample for the estimated sperm count and other factors. The results may vary depending on the laboratory.
Even people with an average, or “normal,” sperm count may experience infertility, as other factors can influence how effectively sperm can fertilize an egg.
According to Resolve, a low sperm count is anything under 10 million sperm per ml.
Although a low sperm count can negatively impact a person’s fertility, it does not mean that pregnancy is not possible. Even a single sperm injected directly into an egg can fertilize it.
If a person has a sperm count that ranges from 20 million to 40 million sperm per ml, this is a lower-than-average count, but doctors may order other tests to determine the quality of the sperm.
If the sperm count is low but the sperm is of high quality, with a good shape, size and swimming speed, a doctor may consider these sperm count levels in the normal range.
A high sperm count is more than 300 million sperm per ml, according to Resolve.
Semen analysis is a laboratory test that measures several factors in addition to a person’s sperm count. These include:
- Liquefaction: This is the ability of semen to change from a gel to a liquid state. If the sperm does not liquefy in about 15–20 minutes, the sperm may not be able to adequately travel to fertilize an egg.
- Morphology: The size and shape of the sperm can affect fertility. While all semen samples contain abnormally shaped sperm, the more defects that are present, the higher the likelihood of infertility.
- Motility and velocity: These are measurements of how well sperm can swim to fertilize an egg and how fast the sperm travel.
- pH: This is a measurement of how acidic or basic the semen is. The average pH of semen is 7.2–7.8. A higher pH could indicate an infection. A lower pH could indicate that the sample is contaminated, or that there is an obstruction in the reproductive system.
- Total semen volume: This is the amount of semen a person ejaculates. Males typically ejaculate 2–5 ml of semen. If there is less than this in the sample, a doctor may look for prostate gland or seminal vesicle problems. If the amount is excessive, the sperm concentration may be too diluted.
Some laboratories may conduct further testing, depending on the technology available.
The longer the time since the last ejaculation, the higher the sperm count is likely to be in a test.
Anyone who is concerned about their sperm count can talk to their doctor about recommendations for lifestyle changes that could help.
Some of these recommendations may include:
- Drinking less or no alcohol. Alcohol can reduce testosterone production, which can reduce sperm count.
- Not smoking. Men who smoke typically have
lower sperm countsthan those who do not.
- Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Fat cells in the body release an enzyme called aromatase, which breaks down testosterone into estrogen. This can decrease testosterone and sperm count.
- Avoiding overheating the testicles. Although research on this topic has yielded mixed results, some people who want to improve fertility avoid using hot tubs, saunas, and laptop computers on their lap.
- Reducing stress. Stress may cause changes in the shape of sperm and affect fertility, according to the authors of a 2018 study.
Some treatments may depend on the underlying cause of a low sperm count. For example, if a person has a blockage in the seminal vesicles, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove or correct the obstruction.
Doctors may also prescribe medications, such as anti-estrogens or gonadotropin therapies, which are hormones that can boost fertility.
Laboratories can measure sperm count as part of a semen analysis.
Sperm count is only one aspect of fertility. Doctors can also evaluate additional factors, such as shape and motility, to determine the likelihood of pregnancy occurring.
In addition to making lifestyle changes, people can talk to their doctor about a variety of treatment options to improve fertility.