SA results, low morphology

[criscat111]

Hello Dr Kim! We just got my husband's SA results and I am a little concerned. Maybe you can help me. The results are:
-Volume 5.0 (range 2.0-5.0)
-Concentration 100 million (20.-200mil/ml)
-Motility 70% (>=50 progressive)
-Mean Velocity 38 (>=25 micrometers/sec)
-Mean linearity 5.2 (0-10 Circulat to straight line)
-Motile sperm/Ejaculate 350 million (25-250million/ejaculate)
-Motility index 26.6 (>=10)
-Viability n/a% (>=75 live from non-motile cells)
-Normal Sperm (STRICT CRITERIA) 8% ("gray area" when normal forms are 5-8%, based on IVF results; Normal>=8%, abnormal 4%).

I am mostly concerned about the morphology 8%. I read that is shoud be greater than 14%. I searched online and after I freaked out a lot, and I understood that if the Number of sperm is high enough, it migh "echilibrate" the low morphology. Is that true? I am not sure how high is the total count suppose to be in this case (I saw that it is in normal values, but is it high enough in this case?)

Dr Kim, I would greatly appreciate your opinion. Do you think we can still TTC naturally? What are our chances based on these results? Thank you in advance! Any suggestion is much appreciated.

[Ruby200]

A related discussion, 8% was started.

[John Kim, M.D.]

Yes, you can try Fertilaid.
Your chances for conceiving naturally would be lower but not zero, if the second test confirms teratospermia.

[criscat111]

Thank you so much for reply, Dr Kim. He is taking Fertilaid, is that ok? Thank you again. From your exeperience, what are our chances of natural concieving? Yes, of course we will do a second SA.

[John Kim, M.D.]

Yes, for strict morphology or kruger morphology 14% is normal.
However, different labs and IVF programs have success rates for IUI for less than 14% strict morphology. In this case, your labs stated that 5-8% is the gray area.
I think it is worth trying intrauterine insemination for gray area numbers since it is cost effective. However, the success rate would be lower than if if were 14%. If the number was less than 5 % then intrauterine success rates are so low that most doctors recommend IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
One important caveat is that 1 abnormal semen analysis does not make a diagnosis. You have to have 2 abnormal at least 70 days apart to make a diagnoisis of low morphology or teratospermia.
I think that it would be reasonable to avoid alcohol and smoking and take antioxidants like Vit A, C, E, selenium and zinc which are all available in One a day for Men Vitamins.