- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
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Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Todd Nippoldt, M.D.
Dr. Todd Nippoldt is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism. He has special expertise in the area of hormone disorders affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands as well as the testes and ovaries. He has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 1988.
He's a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition and works with patients who have disorders of the hormone-producing glands. Common disorders include diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis and elevated cholesterol levels.
He's also involved in andrology, the study of male hormonal disorders, male infertility and male sexual dysfunction, and is an assistant professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Nippoldt, a St. Paul, Minn., native, has also contributed to "Mayo Clinic Health Letter," the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and a Mayo Clinic CD-ROM. He's a fellow in the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Andrology, The Endocrine Society, The Pituitary Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
"I have found that those patients who have gone to the Internet and obtained accurate medical information come to their appointment with me very well informed, and the discussions regarding the evaluation and management of their condition are very productive and satisfying," he says.
"The key, however, is obtaining accurate medical information. As a medical editor, I hope to be able to ensure that accurate, relevant and up-to-date information is available for patients and their families."
Causes (4)
- Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility?
- Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean?
- Semen allergy: A cause of infertility?
- see all in Causes
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Fertility herbs: Do they enhance fertility?
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Question
Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean?
My fiance recently had a semen analysis done. He was told he had abnormal sperm morphology. What does this mean? Can it be treated?
Answer
from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Sperm morphology — the size and shape of sperm — is checked as part of a standard semen analysis for male infertility. The results of a sperm morphology exam indicate the percentage of sperm that appear normal when semen is viewed under a microscope.
Normal sperm have an oval head with a long tail. Abnormal sperm have head or tail defects — such as a large or misshapen head or a crooked or double tail. These defects may affect the ability of the sperm to reach and penetrate an egg.
However, having a large percentage of misshapen sperm isn't uncommon — and it won't necessarily keep a man from getting his partner pregnant. In fact, a sperm sample isn't considered out of the normal range unless most of the sperm are abnormally shaped. If pregnancy does occur, having abnormal sperm morphology doesn't increase the risk of having a child with birth defects.
In addition to sperm shape, a sperm analysis also checks the sperm's ability to move (motility) and the number of sperm present (sperm count). Motility problems and a low sperm count commonly occur along with abnormal sperm morphology, and can also affect male fertility.
If a semen analysis shows abnormal sperm morphology or other irregularities, a wait-and-see approach is generally tried first. Another semen analysis is usually done after four to six weeks to see whether sperm quality has improved on its own. If there are still large numbers of abnormal sperm or a low sperm count, tests may be necessary to look for an underlying problem.
In some cases, sperm problems are due to a permanent condition — such as a testicle abnormality present at birth — and can't be treated. In other cases, sperm quality improves when an underlying condition gets better. Some common causes of abnormal sperm that are temporary or may be reversed with treatment include:
- Enlargement of veins within the scrotum (varicocele)
- High fever
- Use of certain illegal drugs
- Infection
Even with abnormal sperm morphology, motility problems or a low sperm count, pregnancy may still be possible. However, pregnancy doesn't always occur right away. For some couples, it can take a year or more. If you and your partner aren't able to conceive through sexual intercourse, assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization may be an option.
Next questionSemen allergy: A cause of infertility?
- Agarwal A. Assessing sperm function. Urological Clinics of North America. 2008;35:157.
- Swerdloff RS, et al. Evaluation of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2010.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minn. Jan. 25, 2010.
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