Is fetal malformation related to sperm?

Fetal malformations can be detected through certain prenatal examinations. There are many factors that lead to fetal malformations, and many people believe that fetal malformations are related to sperm. In fact, fetal malformation is not entirely caused by sperm problems. For example, if pregnant women do not supplement nutrition properly during pregnancy, it may also cause fetal malformation. But if the sperm quality is not high, it will indeed affect the development of the fetus.

1. Sperm abnormality ≠ fetal abnormality

Fetal malformation and sperm malformation are actually not the same thing. The morphology of sperm is mainly related to the probability of pregnancy, but has little to do with the nature of sperm (genetic material). This is just like there is no direct relationship between a person's appearance and his or her essence. Whether a person is good-looking or not cannot indicate whether the person is healthy or not, and it cannot be said that people with ugly looks have bad health. There is no necessary connection between sperm abnormalities and whether or not one will produce deformed offspring. The intrinsic quality of sperm is the main factor affecting embryo quality and miscarriage. A high sperm deformity rate alone will not lead to an increase in the miscarriage rate and fetal malformation rate. However, some patients with teratozoospermia have diseases such as high sperm DNA fragmentation rate and chromosomal abnormalities, which will cause an increase in the miscarriage rate and fetal malformation rate.

2. Abnormal sperm can also produce children

Most patients with teratozoospermia can have children through treatment. The combination of Chinese and Western medicine and drug treatment combined with lifestyle health care can reduce the sperm deformity rate in some patients and achieve natural fertility. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that kidney deficiency, damp heat or blood stasis are the pathological basis for causing excessive sperm abnormalities, and Chinese medicine or Chinese patent medicine can be used for syndrome differentiation and treatment. Western medicine often uses anti-infective drugs, antioxidant drugs and trace elements to treat teratozoospermia.

A small number of patients with teratozoospermia find it difficult to reduce sperm deformity and conceive naturally through the above treatments and may require assisted reproductive technology. Patients with mild to moderate teratozoospermia can achieve fertility through artificial insemination and first-generation in vitro fertilization (IVF), while patients with severe and very severe teratozoospermia require second-generation in vitro fertilization (ICSI) technology.

3. Methods to improve sperm quality

1. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol

Smoking is harmful to the body and sperm. In addition, we know that wives who are exposed to passive smoking will also be affected. Studies have shown that 70% of men's sperm will be abnormal after drinking, and even if conception occurs, it may cause fetal maldevelopment. If you are planning to get pregnant, you should start gradually reducing your smoking and drinking six months in advance.

2. No drugs

Long-term use of certain medications or drugs can reduce sperm activity and even cause chromosomal abnormalities or sperm deformities. If pregnancy is planned, the husband should stop taking the medication at least three months in advance.

3. You must master certain sexual knowledge

Understand the male physiological characteristics and health care knowledge. If you find that the testicles have unusual changes, such as swelling, hardening, unevenness, pain, etc., you must seek timely diagnosis and treatment.

4. Exercise

Keeping your weight within a normal range can improve sperm quality. Studies have shown that overweight men are more susceptible to infertility problems. Fertility experts say that excessive obesity can cause the temperature in the groin to rise, which can damage the growth of sperm.

5. Balanced diet

The production of sperm requires a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, calcium, zinc, etc. An unreasonable diet can cause congenital sperm deficiency. Therefore, men should not neglect their own nutrition. A good and healthy diet, especially rich vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs, etc., are of great benefit to strengthening sperm. Foods high in zinc (such as oysters) are especially indispensable for enhancing sperm quality.