
Menu









Sperm Pictures - Male Infertility
Human Sperm Morphology
Fixed and stained human sperm pictures from our IVF lab
- Sperm morphology scoring tells us what percent of the sperm are shaped normally
- Very low morphology scores are associated with male infertility problems
- Most fertility clinics (including ours) use the "Kruger strict morphology" criteria
- Using the strict criteria, a relatively low percentage of sperm will be considered to be normal
- At lease 200 stained sperm are examined with very high magnification to determine if the heads, neck pieces and tails are normal
- The WHO (World Health Organization) now defines normal morphology as having 4% or more normal forms
- Due to variations in scoring criteria and the subjective nature of morphology grading, morphology scores can vary significantly between laboratories (on the same sperm specimen)
- If the sperm count and the motility are normal, a moderately low morphology score might not be indicative of a male fertility problem
Related Male Fertility Pages |
Sperm problems and infertility |
Male infertility tests |
Low sperm motility |
Varicocele and male fertility |
Sperm aspiration procedures |
Basic fertility workup |
Treatment for Male Factor Infertility |
Male fertility treatment |
Insemination - IUI |
In vitro fertilization, IVF |
IVF with ICSI for male infertility |
IVF success rates |
IVF pricing plans |
Costs for fertility treatments |
Several sperm shown on a morphology slide
Special stains and fixatives are used to prepare sperm for morphology
evaluation

Highly magnified human sperm with normal morphology
Human sperm are 55 microns in length - 460 sperms lined up head to tail equals 1 inch
This sperm is morphologically normal
- it has a normal shape

Abnormal morphology with tapered head

Another tapered head abnormality

Pinhead sperm

Sperm showing amorphous head

Short tail sperm

Small round sperm head abnormality

Bent neck sperm

Sperm photo - abnormal morphology
Head is too round, abnormal mid-piece

Abnormal head shape - also with cytoplasmic droplets
Unusual situation with very abnormal sperm morphology
Picture shows sperm heads, sperm tails and sperm with very short tails
This man did not have any normal sperm
Picture of human sperm as we see them in a counting chamber (Makler)
This tool is used to determine sperm counts (concentration) and motility percentages
See a video that explains testing sperm count and motility
IVF with ICSI is a highly effective treatment for male factor infertility
See a video showing ICSI being done - sperm injected into egg

Information provided by and last updated on (12/17/2018) by: Richard Sherbahn, MD
Dr. Sherbahn founded the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago in 1997 and is our program director and laboratory director.
He is board-certified in both Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Click here to learn more.


4920 N. Central Ave
Suite 2C
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (773) 794-1818
Fax: (773) 794-1819


30 Tower Court
Suite F
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone: (847) 662-1818
Fax: (847) 662-3001


820 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Rte 176)
Suite 118
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: (815) 356-1818
Fax: (815) 356-1866
4920 N. Central Ave
Suite 2C
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (773) 794-1818
Fax: (773) 794-1819
30 Tower Court
Suite F
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone: (847) 662-1818
Fax: (847) 662-3001
820 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Rte 176)
Suite 118
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: (815) 356-1818
Fax: (815) 356-1866
TESTIMONIALS

I am so grateful for Advanced Fertility Center. I just had my son Leland. I want to thank Dr. Catenacci and all of the nurses that helped us. Especially Ashley in the Crystal Lake office. You made this process easier by being supportive and positive. Thank you very much!

Dr. Sherban and his staff are the most amazing, compassionate, and supportive people. After almost 5 years of trying to conceive, going through numerous tests and meeting with another clinic closer to home, who told me my chances even with IVF were still very low, a good friend recommended advanced fertility center of Chicago. Best decision we ever made! We now have 2 amazing children who are now 5 and 3 years old! I cannot stress enough how amazing this staff is, they make you feel like family!

Our experience was amazing with Dr. Cantanucci and all of the nurses (especially Ashley). After ttc for 4 years and at 41 years of age, we became pregnant after 1 round of IVF, and had our beautiful boy this past October. Can't thank them enough!

2/7/15 our son was born all thanks to the assistance of Dr. Sherbahn and his staff. Everyone was so helpful and here for all our questions, worries, etc. They want this for you just as much as you want this for you! Handled with pure professionalism and care from the very start! Thank you advanced fertility!