How Sperm Are Made & Semen Analysis Explained
At a Glance
What is spermatogenesis?
Spermatogenesis is the process by which sperm are produced in the testes , a carefully orchestrated journey from immature cells to fully functional sperm.
How long does it take?
About 74 to 90 days for a complete sperm cycle.
Why is it important?
Healthy sperm production is essential for fertility. Count, motility, and morphology all begin with proper spermatogenesis.
What is a semen analysis?
A semen analysis is the standard test to assess male fertility, measuring quantity, quality, and function of sperm.
How Sperm Are Made (Simple Explanation)
Sperm are produced continuously in the testes through a multi-step process called spermatogenesis, which can be broken down into three main stages:
1. Spermatogonial Stage (Stem Cells)
- Stem cells called spermatogonia divide by mitosis to maintain the stem cell pool and create cells that will eventually become sperm. In simple terms, it is a "save one, spend one" system: one stem cell divides into two; one stays a stem cell (self-renewal) to keep the pool, while the other begins the long process of turning into a sperm (differentiation).
- This ensures a continuous supply of new sperm throughout life.
2. Meiotic Stage (Reduction Division)
- Cells undergo meiosis, halving their chromosome number from 46 to 23, so the sperm can combine with an egg’s 23 chromosomes during fertilisation.
- This stage produces haploid spermatids, which are immature sperm cells.
3. Spermiogenesis (Maturation)
- Spermatids transform into fully functional spermatozoa.
- Key changes include:
- Developing a tail (flagellum) for motility
- Forming a head containing DNA
- Creating an acrosome, a cap that helps penetrate the egg
- Shedding excess cytoplasm
Once mature, sperm move into the epididymis for storage and further maturation before ejaculation.
Key Points About Sperm Production
- Sperm are extremely sensitive to heat, oxidative stress, hormones, and nutrition.
- One full sperm cycle takes 2–3 months, which is why lifestyle and dietary changes take time to impact fertility.
- Healthy sperm rely on zinc, selenium, CoQ10, L-carnitine, B vitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids for energy, structure, and DNA integrity.
Semen Analysis: What It Measures
A semen analysis evaluates sperm quantity, quality, and function. Typical parameters include:
1. Semen Volume
- Normal: ≥1.5 mL per ejaculate
- Low volume may indicate a blockage, hormonal issue, or ejaculation problem.
2. Sperm Concentration
- Normal: ≥15 million sperm per mL
- Measures the number of sperm in each millilitre of semen.
3. Total Sperm Count
- Normal: ≥39 million per ejaculate
- Total number of sperm in the whole sample.
4. Motility
- Measures how well sperm move.
- Progressive motility (moving forward in a straight line) is most important for fertilisation.
- Normal: ≥32% progressive motility, ≥40% total motility.
5. Morphology
- Percentage of sperm with normal shape.
- Abnormal shapes may impact the ability to fertilise an egg.
6. pH
- Normal: 7.2–8.0
- Abnormal pH may indicate infection or other reproductive issues.
7. White Blood Cells
- High levels may indicate infection or inflammation.
Why Semen Analysis Matters
- Provides a snapshot of fertility potential
- Helps identify specific issues (low count, poor motility, abnormal morphology)
- Guides treatment decisions, including lifestyle changes, supplements, or assisted reproductive technologies
Supporting Healthy Sperm Production
Nutrition:
- Zinc, selenium, L-carnitine, CoQ10, B vitamins, vitamin D, omega-3s
Lifestyle:
- Focus on your diet and nutritional intake
- Avoid heat exposure (saunas, laptops on the lap)
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol
- Maintain healthy weight
- Reduce stress
- Prioritise sleep
Medical considerations:
- Check for varicocele, hormonal imbalances, or infections if semen parameters are abnormal
With the right support, sperm production is remarkably adaptable, improvements are often seen within one full sperm cycles.
