Can poor sperm quality cause miscarriage?
In most cases, miscarriages are often assumed to be caused by female factors. But studies show that male factors such as poor sperm quality can increase the chances of miscarriages.
This makes sense because sperm carry half of the genetic materials necessary for the embryo to be formed and develop.
For a long time, it has been assumed that it is only female factors that lead to miscarriages, but studies suggest that male factors such as sperm quality can affect the health of the pregnancy, including the risk of a miscarriage.
Miscarriages or pregnancy loss is the loss of a baby before 28 weeks of pregnancy. There are many causes of preventable and unpreventable pregnancy loss, and they include fetal abnormalities, the age of the mother, and infections. In some cases, it is possible to know the exact cause(s), especially in cases where the mother has diseases such as malaria or syphilis, but in other cases, it is not easy to know the exact cause.
The health and quality of sperm plays an important role in determining a healthy pregnancy and baby. For example, sperm plays a crucial role in the formation of the placenta, which is crucial for oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus. Any abnormalities in the sperm can affect the development of the placenta and the embryo and likely lead to a miscarriage.
Sperm health may, in many cases, be linked to miscarriages in couples who have experienced repeated – or recurrent – miscarriages.
A study conducted by Kumal et al. (2012) suggested that the damage to the sperm DNA may increase the risk of miscarriages and/or the healthy growth of the baby in the womb. The studies further show that DNA fragmentation in sperm was higher among men whose partners have experienced recurrent pregnancy losses.
Other sperm quality factors that can potentially increase the chances of a miscarriage are sperm abnormalities, including genetic factors, abnormal shape and size of the sperm, and inability of the sperm to move well through the female system.
Factors that affect sperm quality
Factors that can affect sperm quality are sexually transmitted diseases STIs, obesity, poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, age (quality declines with age), medical conditions such as kidney failure, cancer treatments, and prolonged exposure of the reproductive areas to high heat.
Men should, therefore, do their part to improve sperm health through lifestyle changes such as diet changes, physical exercise to maintain a healthy weight, and not drinking alcohol or doing so in moderation.
The message here is that both men and women need to take the necessary measures to ensure or increase the chance that the pregnancies result in a healthy baby.
Where possible, it is recommended that men undergo sperm analysis to ensure the quality and health of their sperm before deciding to have a child.
References
Kumar, K., J Thilagavathi, Deka, D., & Dada, R. (2012). Unexplained early pregnancy loss: Role of paternal DNA. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 136(2), 296. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3461744/