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Fertility Glossary

Total motile sperm count (TMSC)

The number of actively moving sperm in a sample, often used to guide treatment choice.

Male fertility

Total motile sperm count (TMSC) estimates how many sperm in the whole ejaculate are motile, combining volume, concentration and the proportion of moving sperm. Clinics often use TMSC, particularly after sperm preparation in the laboratory, to help decide between intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF or ICSI, since IUI generally needs a reasonable number of motile, prepared sperm to have a realistic chance of success. TMSC is one factor among several; female partner age and fertility, and any structural or tubal factors, are considered together when planning treatment.

Also known as: TMSC, motile sperm count

Related India guides

Sources

  • ICMR Standard Treatment Workflows (icmr.gov.in/standard-treatment-workflows-stws)

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

Related terms

Sperm motility

How sperm move, graded as progressive, non-progressive or immotile.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Placing washed, concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

Fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body to create embryos.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

A laboratory technique that injects a single sperm directly into an egg to assist fertilisation.

Semen analysis

The basic laboratory test that assesses semen volume, sperm count, motility and shape.

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