Problems with sperm production
The most common causes of male infertility are called:
- Azoospermia, no sperm cells are produced
- Oligospermia, where few sperm cells are produced
- Teratospermia, where a high proportion of sperm is abnormally shaped
Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality can cause male infertility.
Around one in three cases of male infertility are caused by blockages or absence of tubes – this could be caused by injury or a vasectomy.
It’s usually a good sign if you have ever conceived a baby with any partner in the past, but this may not mean that your sperm is compatible with your current partner.
Other factors that affect sperm quality include:
- Smoking
- Excessive drinking
- Drugs, including steroids and recreational use
- Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Frequent exposure to extreme heat (working in hot temperatures, or regular saunas)
- Working in cramped conditions (for example, truck drivers)
- Acute viral illness
- Operations for undescended testes or hernias
Sperm production myths
There is no scientific evidence that wearing tight clothes or bike shorts affects the quality of your sperm. Diet, vitamins and supplements actually have very little impact on your sperm count - but they do help you stay healthy.
Sports injuries to the groin will only have an impact on sperm production in extremely severe cases.
Treating male infertility
ICSI treatment, or IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection, is usually recommended for couples where male infertility is a problem, especially relating to the number or quality of sperm produced. ICSI can also be used in cases where a man has had a vasectomy. It involves the direct injection of a single sperm into each egg using sophisticated equipment.
Treating Azoospermia
The condition of non-obstructive azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate) requires careful evaluation and a possible search for sperm in the testis using a technique known as testicular biopsy. In some instances, microdissection of the testis is ultilised to more accurately find sperm in the seminiferous tubules. This is also done as a day procedure and a few days convalescence is required.
This sperm can be used for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Before retrieving the sperm it is necessary to check the genetic make-up as some abnormalities of the Y chromosome (male chromosome) indicate that finding sperm is unlikely. Furthermore, if genetic abnormalities are found, a couple must be counselled as rarely,a genetic problem causing infertility may be inherited by a male child. Sperm that are retrieved can be used fresh (the same day) or frozen in liquid nitrogen for later microinjection.
Vasectomy Reversal
Sometimes, a vasectomy reversal may be the preferred option for men who wish to conceive with a new partner. This is performed as a day surgery procedure utilising the operating microscope. As the surgery involves very tiny sutures, a week at least must be set aside to aid healing and prevent injury to the especially small area of the vasectomy reversal site. Ejaculation must not occur for 2 weeks and no strenuous activity until discomfort and swelling has disappeared. A semen analysis to evaluate re-establishment of the sperm pathway should be done at 6 - 8 weeks following surgery.
Find a Melbourne IVF fertility specialist specialising in andrology and male reproductive disorders.
> Find out more about male infertility tests
> Find out more about ICSI
> Contact us for more information
