SemenBoost

Conditions

Asthenozoospermia

Asthenozoospermia means reduced sperm motility. Total and progressive motility have different reference limits.

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Short answer

Asthenozoospermia means sperm motility is below the reference range. On the WHO limits NICE uses, that can mean total motility under 42%, progressive motility under 30%, or both. It describes movement. It does not, alone, decide whether conception or a particular fertility treatment is possible.

Key takeaways

  • Check that the sample was examined promptly. Delay lowers motility.
  • Vitality testing helps separate dead sperm from live sperm that are not swimming.
  • Progressive motility is the figure most people mean by “swimming properly”.
  • Evidence that a supplement improves pregnancy rates is a different question from a change in the percentage.

Reading the report

A report can show total motility of 45% (within the reference range) and progressive motility of 20% (below it). That is still an abnormal progressive-motility result. The motility page explains the split. If progressive motility is printed higher than total motility, ask the laboratory to clarify the report before you act on it.

What assessment adds

Clinicians look for a collection problem, infection or inflammation, a varicocele, antibodies in selected cases, and exposures such as heat, smoking, or gonadotoxic medicines. NICE does not recommend routine antisperm-antibody testing. A single low motility after a long journey with the sample in a cold car is a reason to repeat the test under proper conditions, not a reason to label yourself permanently.

Treatment talk

Depending on the rest of the semen analysis and how long a couple has been trying, care might be expectant, aimed at a found cause, or involve IUI, IVF or ICSI. Some clinics mention total motile sperm count in that conversation. Their thresholds are not published on this site as if they were WHO limits. See total motile sperm count.

Related

Sources

  1. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition — World Health Organization, 2021
  2. Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (NG257) — NICE, 2026
  3. Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline (amended 2024) — American Urological Association, 2024
How this page was prepared

Drafted with automated research assistance and checked against the cited primary sources. A named clinician has not reviewed this page. Medical review is pending. Changes to reference values are not published automatically.