Non-Motile Sperm

Non-motile sperm are sperm cells that are unable to move. Non-motile sperm cannot rhythmically swing the tail to move in a forward direction due to a structural or functional defect of the sperm.

Sperm need to travel a long distance from the vagina to the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg. Of the millions of sperm that are released into the vagina during ejaculation, only a few survive this journey. The ability to maintain progressive forward movement through the reproductive tract is key to successful fertilization.

Semen with more than 60% non-motile sperm decreases the chances of successful fertilization of the egg and is a known cause of male factor infertility.