Sperm Motility
The ability of sperm to swim; at least 42% total motility and 30% progressive motility is considered normal.
Motility is divided into progressive motility (sperm moving forward in a straight or curved line), non-progressive motility (movement without meaningful forward progress), and immotility. The WHO 2021 reference values set normal total motility at ≥42% and progressive motility at ≥30%.
Asthenozoospermia refers to sperm with reduced motility and is a common cause of male factor infertility. It can result from varicocele, infection, oxidative stress, antisperm antibodies, or genetic defects affecting the sperm flagellum.
For patients with severely low motility, ICSI bypasses the need for sperm to swim, since the embryologist selects and injects individual sperm.
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