Will only healthy sperm make it to the egg?

Question

I am concerned that my husband's drinking may effect the quality of his spem. Some articles say that sperm of an alcoholic can be just as responsible for birth defects as an alcoholic mother.

Answer 1

Nonviable sperms can make it and fertilize the egg. The physically deformed or low motility sperms won't make it to the egg before the other sperms. However, there's no guarantee that the first sperm that fertilizes the egg is chromosomally healthy. It is possible that the winner in the race has chromosomal defects. In that case, the egg will still be fertilized. Depending on the type of chromosomal defect, the embryo may be nonviable or it may in fact reach full term. The nonviable ones will die by itself after a few weeks. The ones that reach full term will have some sort of defect. Down syndrom and cystic fibrosis are examples of genetic defects that will not cause embryo death.

Answer 2

Only healthy sperm that can swim make it to the egg.