Is 42 Million/mL Sperm Count Normal?
Yes, a sperm count of 42 million/mL is normal and well above the clinical threshold for fertility concerns. This count exceeds the established lower reference limit by more than 2.5-fold and falls within the range associated with optimal fertility potential.
Reference Standards
- The World Health Organization, American Urological Association, and American Society for Reproductive Medicine define the lower reference limit for normal sperm concentration as 16 million/mL (95% CI: 15-18 million/mL) 1
- Your count of 42 million/mL is 2.6 times higher than this threshold, placing you comfortably in the normal range 1
Clinical Significance for Fertility
- Research suggests that sperm concentrations below 40 million/mL may be associated with longer time to pregnancy or subfertility, while counts below 15 million/mL carry higher risk of infertility 2
- At 42 million/mL, you are above the functional fertility threshold of 40 million/mL that correlates with optimal pregnancy rates 2, 3
- Studies of fertile men show mean sperm concentrations of approximately 60 million/mL (median 67 million/mL), with the 5th percentile at 12 million/mL 4
Important Caveats
- Sperm count alone does not determine fertility—motility and morphology are equally important parameters 5
- Progressive motility should be ≥30% and total motility ≥42% for normal fertility potential 5
- At least two semen analyses performed at least one month apart are recommended due to significant intra-individual variability before making any clinical decisions 1, 5
- Proper collection technique is essential: 2-3 days abstinence, analysis within one hour, and transport at body temperature 1, 5