FertilityTies posts tagged with morphology

Infertility Urologist this morning

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:16:40 -0600

My husband's first appointment with the urologist specializing in infertility today. Part of me was looking forward to it, in hopes that this doc could offer us some positive outlook. The other (more realistic) part of me knew that this was just going to confirm what we've seen before.

Until we get a handle on improving his sperm quality, we're taking the next few months off from TTC using fertility aids. We are experiencing low motility and morphology as well as low volume and counts.

DH has been taking Fertilaid for a couple weeks. Doc said it's "low risk, low reward. But it can't hurt."

The doc suggested that since we've had several SA's all suggesting the same thing, there was no reason to do another.

He did order a full hormone workup for DH. He suggested that if there's something there, it could explain the poor semen quality and/or his ED. So, he's asked for another appointment in about a month.

The doc, of course, said that given our poor SA results, our quickest route to a biological child (his choice of words) is going to be IVF. duh! We just cannot afford it. There's no saving for it.

DH doesn't want to go much more than another year of trying. Doc said that since we've conceived a child before, we probably could conceive again, but who knows how long it might take. It took 3 1/2 years for Mia!

We shared with him that we've discussed a donor and he agreed that that would definitely increase our chances.

So, it seems that we will again be approaching the sperm donor discussion. DH seems more open to it now than when we first discussed it, but it's still not something we're both wholly in agreement about. DH is as least willing to consider doing IUI with a sperm cocktail of him and the donor.

This is all sooooo very frustrating.

ThisIsMelissa

Should we do IVF now or wait?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:05:59 -0600

Hello! And thanks in advance for anyone that can give me good advice! Ok, long story short. My hubby and I have been trying to conceive for the last 4 months and I'm still not pregnant. I know that is not a long period time of time, but I got pregnant as a teen the first time I had sex so I know I'm a fertile myrtle. That being said I set up an appt at the fertility doctor for my hubby to do a semen analysis and the results were horrible! 23 million sperm, 50% motility and 0 morphology. The doctor explained we should wait two weeks and do another test, so we did and the results were even worse! This time the count was only 2 million, 35% motility and 0 morphology. My husband smokes more than a pack a day and drinks on a occasion. My question is should I wait to see if it improves (after he quits) and take the risk that it may get worse or just skip to IVF/ICSI? I don't want to waste time waiting but then again I don't want to waste money if chances are likely we can conceive naturally! By the way I'm 24 and my hubby is 30.

jtm721

Bad sperm Morphology..i need some support here!

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:35:39 -0600

Hi Dr Q. All this time, I have been on here asking about problems that I think are wrong with me, meanwhile my dh's s/a just came back and he said the dr told him that 90% are Abnormal. His count was at 120 million which the dr said was good, but 90% of these are bad. Is there any hope for us?? WOuld IVF even be an option for us?? I am so devasted. I am hoping there is some type of hope for us!! Pls help.

CLM

Morphology question

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:31:01 -0600

Dr's have you ever had a patient who had low morphology but great counts and motility one month and a few months later, the morphology be normal? I am wondering what kind of luck I have. My hubby has to do another S/A. 5 months ago his morph was 1% but counts and motility were great. What are the chances that it could have been a fluke or a one time thing?

LauraMarie

Update....had my 2nd opinion today!

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:25:31 -0600

Some of you asked me to update so here it is!

Ok, I love my new doc! He was very thorough and answered all my questions.....Hubby needs to have a repeat S/A. His morphology was very low a few months back but everything else was great. If his new S/A is still low morph, then he has to see a urologist. If its ok, then we move onto me. He says I have a borderline luteal phase defect and a progesterone deficiency that can be treated with supplements. So, once DH gets squared away, I will have to have an HSG, post coital test, and and an endometrial biopsy to make sure there are no other problems. Then we will determine the course of treatment. He told me to stop taking Clomid (I already have) and that he thought I was put on it prematurely. So, thats where we are! I am excited but a little nervous and I am soooo worried about DH's repeat S/A. I want it to turn out good! I feel like everything is riding on his S/A. This is gonna take a couple months to get all this done b/c of where I am at in my cycle right now and hubby's pending S/A, but hopefully by Jan. we will be on our way to a BFP!

Lots of love ladies!!! = )

LauraMarie

Chewing Tobacco and Sperm Morphology

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:47:34 -0600

DH chews tobacco and I was wondering what effect this has on Morphology? DH SA said amount & motility good...sperm shape marginal. Doctor didn't given me % of sperm with normal shape though. He said that this is subjective and doesn't mean because of the shape that we are not able to get pregnant.

Is there something he should be taking, such a a supplement to improve quality of sperm?

mstngrd3

Semen Analysis Confusion

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:45:08 -0600

I am a little confused about my husband's Semen Analysis. Under the block titled Sperm Data, initial says Vol (ml) 1.2, Conc(M/ml) 32.00, Grad 2(%)44, and Tot Mot 16.89. Then Post W shows Vol (ml) 1, Conc(M/ml) 8.00, grade 3(%)100, and Tot Mot 8.00.

Under the Morphology section, it shows Kruger, Rnd Heads 3, Tail Defects 2, Morph (%NI) 2, Amorph 87, Neck Defects 6, %Abn 98, %Vac 5, %Elong 15, %No Acro 32, and %CytoDrops 2.

Under AntiBodies section, shows IgG Head% 0, Mid% 1, and Tail %3. IgA Head % 3, Mid%1, and Tail %6.

Also under comments, it showed pellet too faint to perform swim up procedure.

PLEASE explain these results to me in laymen's terms. Is it his morphology or his antibodies? I would like some clarification.

Temple

Semen Analysis

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:39:10 -0600

Temple

Male Fertility Supplements

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:04:18 -0500

Today at the IUI, hub had only 5 million sperm post-wash. So, we're looking at male fertility supplements. We're taking the next 2 months off from doing IUI, so hopefully that'd give some time for a supplement to work. At his last analysis, he had 28% morphology and 8% motility.

If your hub has taken a supplement and seen improvment from it, could you please share?

Docs, can you give a suggestion about what we should look for in a supplement to help improve upon these statistics?

ThisIsMelissa

Dr Q: Amorphous Sperm. Now what?

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:16:21 -0500

We finally had a new semen analysis done and it appears that hubby didn't have leukocytes (white blood cells).

The nurse said "there was a marked increase in amorphous sperm". I asked if that was what the RE had described as "immature sperm" and she said yes.

Having never heard the term "amorphous" before, I did look around the internet and it looks like that's a term to describe bad morphology?

The nurse said that these results are likely "off" since my DH said he "lost" part of the sample.

She didn't give me anymore specifics on the sample besides 8% motility.

What I've read is that IVF+ICSI might be our only hope. Is this true? Is there any point in continuing to do IUI?

We absolutely cannot afford to do IVF (even on the shared-risk or financing program).

Are there any supplements or behavioral changes that can help this?

Should we re-run the s/a?

ThisIsMelissa

Dr, can you please help? SA results

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:27:25 -0500

Hello Dr Q, hello girls! 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.-20mil/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 previous posts on this site, 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. 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 Q, 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! I appreciate it.

Cris

Sperm morphology and chromosonal abnormalities

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:27:28 -0500

My husband has 1% normal sperm. We do not know the cause of this, but about 10 years ago he was on very high dose interferon for a year.

We never expected to get pregnant on our own, but still wanted to try, so I take my BBT daily and on our 4th month trying (Sept.) I got my first positive and it was confirmed by a blood test at the Drs. The hormones were low though...23. I started bleeding and having heavy cramps yesterday. I believe it was a chemical pregnancy and the Dr will confirm it tomorrow. Could my husbands sperm issues be causing this? Will this happen continuously? Is abnormal morphology linked with chromosonal issues or DNA being messed up in the sperm?

redstringlady

Dr.. Can you explain strict Krueger Morphology.

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:12:43 -0500

Is 4.6% really low and almost nil chance of pregnancy?

sailorgirl

Husbands Kruger test.

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:04:38 -0500

Here are my husbands Kruger test results......

Total sperm- 80 mill

Forward proression- 70%

Morphology- 13%

The thing that I'm concerned about is his Morphology. The lab results read that a 14% or better is normal. Is his sperm ok to have a baby naturally??? He had his sperm checked back in April. Just thought I'd bring this up and ask. Thanks.

Jules

Embryo Morphology?

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:37:45 -0500

Hi Dr. Q!!

As many questions I asked and as well as they explained I'm still somewhat unsure of how "good" my embryos are. I know you can't diagnose but maybe you can clarify or explain?? During today's transfer we put in 3 embryos:

74 84 92. From what I understand the 1st number is the # of cells that divided (today they like them to be between 6-8) and the 2nd # is the grade (range from 1-5, one being the best and 5 I guess not so great). So am I right in thinking that the best one is the 92 and the others are just OK? Since they are a grade of 4 (3 is average so 4 is slightly below average)? Two of the 3 had hard shells and needed assisted hatching and one didn't. I had others that will be watched to see if they make it for freezing some of those were: 73,53,34,22. Do you grade in a similar way? Any thoughts you are able to share? THANKS!!

jenstar

morphology & ovulation quest.

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:58:36 -0500

I have a couple questions. Brief summary of situation. My husband has a sperm count of 28 mil and I'm pretty sure that everything else looked ok. I'm hearing something about morphology from other woman and I'm sure my doctor ran that test because he mentioned it. On the test results it say % ABN-10. Isnt that the same since thats the percent of abnormal sperm? Last question, I took an ovul.test and it said I had the LH surge on day #12 after my period so i know your suppose to ovulate 12-36 hrs. after that but I noticed I didnt have any of the egg white discharge at that time but I did later in the week long after the 12-36hrs was through. I've heard thats when your most fertile is this true and did we miss our time?

gypsy

My journey so far

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:28:05 -0500

Hi all,

34 and have been trying ttc for almost 1 yr. Have recently been to doctors for intial tests and everything has come back normal. Going for ultrasound in 2 weeks so hoping everything will be ok. Partner (35) is also going for sperm analysis next week so fingers crossed.

Never did i imagine i would want a baby so much until the possiblity of infertility raised its ugly head. Still early days yet in our journey of ttc but have not been able to think of anything else for the last 3 months, feels like im in some kind of limbo state!

I think my age is causing me concern as i hear so often about how difficult it can become for women over 30 to conceive.

Anyhoos thats my journey so far..not much to report but i will keep you updated.

Thanks and shed loads of baby dust to all ttc!!!

Update 14-8-08

Well dh sa didnt go as well as hoped. Everything seemed within normal range apart from morphology which is 6%. He needs to re-test again in few weeks and if the results are the same then we will be refered to a specialist.

I also had a vaginal ultrasound this week and again not everything came back 'normal'. They found 2 fibroids 9 and 10 mm in size, doc doesnt think they big enough to be of any real concern. Theres also the possiblity that i have pcos, as 'multiple follicles' were found on both ovaries. They wont know for sure if its pcos until they run biochemical tests, but i would be surprised if it were as i have regular periods and no other symptons. All will be revealed in time i suppose.

Have felt very down about all these 'abnormalities' :(

just wanted to hear that everything was 'normal' and when you dont its like a kick in the stomach, but its making me stronger and im determined to stay positive:)

Good luck to you all :) with Lots and lots of babydust!!!

natasha

SA results

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:02:52 -0500

Hi,

My dh received his SA results today.

Everything was in the 'normal' range except the morphology which was '94% abnormal forms'. The doctor advised him that theres no need for concern yet and to re-take the test in a couple of weeks, if the results are the same then we will be refered to a specialist. I've been reading some info about this and it appears there is no proven cure to help sperm morphology.

This makes me very sad and i wanted to ask what are chances are of us conceiving naturally?

Many thanks.

natasha

High Estrogen??

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:48:37 -0500

Hi Dr. Q...well i have decided to go ahead with IVF! My insurance does not cover it which is unfortunate...so I am really hope I don't have to do more than one cycle!

Well since my periods are regular and I ovulate on my own, my RE decided I do not need to suppress my ovaries for too long; so i was told i would need to take bcp's only for two weeks as I live in a small town and we have just one RE, so he has to schedule it instead of me having my period on my own. I had my baseline appt yesterday and my ultrasound looked great..but apparently my estrogen level is high! I stop my bcp on the 1st and start with Lupron on Monday.

I have been asked to come in for another blood test on Monday...since i have never used Follistm my RE has calculated a very small dose of 150 considering my weight and height (both of which are small-5ft and 96lbs)

I am extremely stressed out and am wondering if i should still go ahead with this cycle of IVF (as i really cannot afford a failed cycle..i should atleast have some frozen embryos for next time)! The next cycle does not start until Nov (like i said we have just one RE) but I didn't want to wait that long!

We had never carried out a morphology study of my partners sperm so all this while we thought its just a motility problem; but we just found out that 71% of his sperm heads are abnormal..I would think that is a large number but would like you to let me know if we still have a chance..(we are doing ICSI)

If the information matters; i would also like to mention that i started my bcps in the Luteal phase of my cycle and the ultrasound showed a follicle sized 10 or 13..i dont quite rmber..

please advise me doctor as I really need your help in making a decision..

Marusha

FertilityTies posts tagged with morphology

Infertility Urologist this morning

Should we do IVF now or wait?

Bad sperm Morphology..i need some support here!

More Sperm Questions...what does this all mean?

Morphology question

Update....had my 2nd opinion today!

Chewing Tobacco and Sperm Morphology

Semen Analysis Confusion

Semen Analysis

Male Fertility Supplements

Dr Q: Amorphous Sperm. Now what?

Dr, can you please help? SA results

Sperm morphology and chromosonal abnormalities

Dr.. Can you explain strict Krueger Morphology.

Husbands Kruger test.

Embryo Morphology?

morphology & ovulation quest.

My journey so far

SA results

High Estrogen??