Spermatozoa are cells of the male reproductive system that are secreted along with semen when a person ejaculates. Spermatozoa are perfect and quality is one of the keys to success in the fertilization process to create a pregnancy.
The function of spermatozoa is to fertilize the egg in the process of fertilization. From this fertilization, an embryo will be created which will then develop into a fetus. Spermatozoa are also agents that carry male genetic material that will determine the sex of the child through the X or Y chromosome.
Spermatozoa Structure and Characteristics
Spermatozoa or sperm cells consist of 3 parts, namely:
Head
The head is the core part of the spermatozoa which contains the genetic material in the form of chromosomes. Enzyme hyaluronidase which is secreted from the head of the spermatozoa serves to destroy the hyaluronic acid in the egg, so that sperm can easily enter it.
Neck and midsection
These two parts are located between the head and tail, which serves as a liaison between the two ends of the sperm cell. Both contain mitochondria that function to produce energy for the survival and movement of spermatozoa to the egg cell.
Tail
The section also known as flagella This is the locomotion of the spermatozoa, which allows sperm to swim rapidly through the female reproductive tract and towards the egg.
Healthy Spermatozoa Quality Criteria
Healthy sperm are those that meet the criteria needed to be able to fertilize an egg. This criterion refers to 3 things, namely the number, speed of movement, and the shape of the sperm. This can be known through sperm analysis or semen analysis.
Generally, this examination is recommended for married couples who have had regular sexual intercourse for a long time but have not had children. The following is an explanation of each criterion:
Number of spermatozoa
A normal sperm count is between 15–120 million sperm per milliliter of semen that you excrete during ejaculation. If the sperm count is below this range (oligospermia), the chances of fertilization are getting smaller.
Motility
Movement speed or motility also affects sperm quality. Quality sperm is sperm that is able to move quickly to the egg and fertilize it. It takes at least 50% of the spermatozoa that can move normally within 1 hour after ejaculation to allow fertilization of the egg.
Sperm structure or shapetozoa
Normal sperm have an oval head with a long tail. While abnormal sperm can have defects in the head or tail, for example, the size of the head is larger or the tail is bent.
The morphology, or the size and shape of the spermatozoa, can affect the success rate of fertilization. The more normal-shaped sperm in the semen, the easier it is for them to swim to the egg. Conversely, if more than 50% of sperm are abnormally shaped, a man's fertility rate will decrease.
In addition to the criteria above, the quality of semen can also be a measure of the quality of spermatozoa. This can be seen from the number, viscosity, pH, and the number of white blood cells in the semen.
Don't give up immediately when you hear the results of the spermatozoa analysis show abnormalities. Men with abnormal sperm analysis results still have a chance to become a father, although it may take longer.
Decrease in the quality of spermatozoa and semen can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking and consuming alcohol, as well as excessive radiation exposure, for example from holding a laptop that is on for too long.
In addition, diseases such as diabetes, hormonal disorders, and infections can also affect the quality of spermatozoa. Therefore, lifestyle improvements can be the key to improving sperm quality.
For married couples who do not allow natural fertilization, IVF procedure can be an option. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor for further advice according to your condition