What is the sperm’s role in a successful pregnancy and the health of a baby?

Welcome to Doctor's Corner, where medical experts from Makati Medical Center will answer health questions from readers! Got a question? Send them over to comment@gmanews.tv.

Q: What is the sperm’s role in and contribution to pregnancy and the health of a baby?

A woman’s healthy egg is only half of the equation of a successful pregnancy. For fertilization, full-term pregnancy, and the delivery of a healthy baby to occur, a man’s sperm must be in optimal condition too.

Three factors determine sperm health: quantity, movement, and shape. On quantity, semen released during ejaculation should contains at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. While that sounds like a lot, anything less than that affects the chances of getting pregnant.

Sperm from ejaculated semen must exhibit good motility, or the ability to move with ease past a woman’s cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. If 40% of sperm have good motility, the possibility of pregnancy is high.

Finally, a typical sperm has an oval head, a mid-piece, and long tail. This structure contributes to its motility and ability to swim to reach the egg, which is necessary to achieve fertilization.

Poor-quality sperm can impact pregnancy and the health of a baby. It can affect the genetic makeup of the fetus, causing developmental issues and birth defects.

It increases the risk of miscarriage and preeclampsia (or maternal blood pressure). And it has a direct bearing on the placenta’s formation and function as the fetus’s source of oxygen and nutrients.

How can a man have healthy sperm?

Men can have healthy sperm by taking care of their general health and wellbeing. Eat a balanced diet of lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed and fast foods. Engage in regular exercise to maintain your recommended weight and desired levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Do away with smoking, alcohol, and learn to manage stress at work and in your personal life. — LA, GMA Integrated News

Ana Melissa Hilvano-Cabungcal, MD, is a Urology Specialist at the Makati Medical Center.