Is a total motility of 43% normal for conception?

Is 43% Total Motility Adequate for Natural Conception?

Yes, a total motility of 43% is adequate for natural conception and exceeds the minimum threshold associated with fertility. 1

Understanding the Reference Standards

The established reference values indicate that:

• Total motility ≥40% is considered normal according to the WHO 2010 reference values derived from fertile men whose partners conceived within 12 months 2
• Progressive motility ≥32% represents the lower reference limit (5th percentile) from fertile populations 2
• Your 43% total motility exceeds the 40% threshold, placing you within the normal fertile range 1

Clinical Significance for Conception

Total motility of 43% is associated with favorable fertility outcomes:

• Men with motility ≥30% have demonstrated successful pregnancy rates of ≥8.2% per cycle with intrauterine insemination, indicating adequate sperm function for natural conception 3
• The clinical literature establishes that motility >50% is the traditional reference threshold, but values above 40% still support normal fertility potential 1
• Progressive motility and total motile sperm count are the sperm characteristics most closely related to pregnancy outcomes 3

What Matters Beyond Just Motility

Total motile sperm count (TMSC) provides the most comprehensive fertility assessment:

• TMSC is calculated by multiplying semen volume × sperm concentration × percentage of progressively motile sperm 4
• A TMSC ≥50 million provides optimal predictive power for conception within 5 years, with partners having a 45% greater chance of conception 4
• Even with TMSC ≥20 million, couples without major female factors demonstrate reasonable conception rates 4
• Values up to 100-150 million TMSC continue to show improved conception rates and shorter time-to-pregnancy 4

Essential Context for Your Situation

Your 43% motility should be interpreted alongside:

• Sperm concentration (should be ≥15 million/mL) 2
• Total sperm count (should be ≥39 million per ejaculate) 2
• Semen volume (should be ≥1.5 mL) 2
• Morphology (≥4% normal forms by strict criteria) 2

Important Caveats

Single semen analyses can be misleading:

• Natural variability in semen parameters requires at least two analyses separated by 2-3 months to establish baseline fertility status 1
• Sequential ejaculation in men with borderline parameters may actually increase total motile sperm counts, particularly in oligoasthenospermic men where TMSC can increase by 139-233% 5

Female partner factors are equally critical:

• Even with excellent male parameters, female age and ovarian reserve significantly impact conception rates 6
• If pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, formal infertility evaluation of both partners is indicated 6

Optimizing Your Fertility Potential

With 43% motility, focus on maximizing other parameters:

• Address modifiable factors including thyroid function, metabolic health, and gonadotoxin exposures 6
• Maintain regular intercourse timing around ovulation—men with borderline parameters may benefit from daily or twice-daily intercourse during the fertile window 5
• Avoid exogenous testosterone or anabolic steroids, which will completely suppress spermatogenesis through negative feedback 6

Your 43% total motility is reassuring and compatible with natural conception, provided other semen parameters and female factors are favorable. 1, 2