Infertility is classified as female factor, male factor, both male and female factor or idiopathic cases. Female factor is accompanied by male factor in around 35% of infertile couples, while male factor is the only identified cause in approximately 10% of cases.

Oligozoospermia – count of sperm in ejaculate lower than the accepted normal range - or azospermia – total absence of sperm in ejaculate – is detected in a certain percentage of men with infertility, while sperm count is within normal ranges in others with infertility. Sperm concentration is low along with poor sperm quality, low motility (astenozoospermia) and/or count of sperms with abnormal morphology are more than healthy sperms in 80 percent of infertile men. In a low percentage of infertile men; there are normal sperm concentrations, with low quality sperms having normal sperm count, morphology and motility, although these cases are rare.

Congenital Problems, Chronic Diseases Can Also Cause!

Male infertility can be caused by insufficient production of sperm in testes, poor functioning of sperms and blockage in tubes that pass sperm in the body. Other potential causes of infertility are chronic diseases, endocrine disorders, genetic problems, congenital anomalies, past history of infection, trauma, varicocele (dilated veins around testicles) and surgical operations.

Infertile men may not have a complaint other than failure of pregnancy in partner. However, others may suffer from signs that point to chromosomal or hormonal problems, such as sexual dysfunctions (e.g. problems in erection or ejaculation, low sex drive), testicular swelling, redness and pain as well as recurrent respiratory tract infections, anosmia (inability to sense one or all smells), abnormal enlargement of breast (gynecomastia) and loss of scalp or body hair. Evaluation requires review of detailed medical history, physical examination and semen analysis. They can be supplemented by hormone tests, imaging of accessory gland and channels and genetic tests, whenever required.

How Is Sperm Analysis Done?

Sperm analysis is a relatively simple test to evaluate etiology of male infertility and it requires sexual abstinence for 2 to 7 days. Generally, patient is asked to ejaculate into a sterile container through masturbation in a private room. However, the sample should be obtained at home and transferred to the clinic within 30 minutes, if the former approach is not feasible. It is recommended to do semen analysis at least twice due to inter-sample variability.

Semen specimen is evaluated according to the criteria set by World Health Organization (World Health Organization Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen).

Causes of Male Factor Infertility

• Severe Oligospermia and Azospermia

The condition implies very low count or absence of sperm in ejaculate (fluid ejected from the male reproductive tract in orgasm – semen). The condition may be caused by failure to produce sperm in testicle, poor development of sperm channels or their blockage, genetic diseases (Y chromosome problems, Klinefelter syndrome), infection, trauma, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or cystic fibrosis. Patients with azospermia or severe oligospermia require certain hormone tests (FSH, LH, and testosterone), genetic analyses and imaging of ejaculatory channels.

• Varicocele

It refers to swelling and varicose formations in blood vessels that drain testicles. Varicocele is the most common correctable cause of male infertility. Although the exact cause is not known, it is believed that the condition correlates with heat dysregulation at testicular locus. Diagnosis requires physical examination by an urologist and scrotal Doppler ultrasound. Surgical intervention may improve count and function of sperm.

• Treatment of Male Factor Infertility

Considering treatment of male infertility, the underlying cause should be, first, corrected. Lifestyle changes, reduction of stress factors, regular eating, weight loss and cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption are recommended. Medication treatment is principally reserved for hormone deficiencies.

Insemination can be recommended, if sperm count is above 10 million in semen and there is no severe morphological abnormality. In this method, sperm is cleaned off dead cells and toxic substances and inserted into uterine cavity through cervix with a catheter. Chance of pregnancy is 10 to 15 percent in this method. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered, if insemination is not indicated or fails. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) differs from IVF, as sperms are injected into the egg under microscope rather than a natural fertilization.

Sperms are harvested from testicles with surgical approach in patients with non-obstructive azospermia who have no sperm in semen. The procedure that is carried out under anesthesia is called TESE. It is not possible to produce sperm, if analysis of Y chromosome points to total deletion of Azf A locus, total deletion of Azf B locus or deletion of Azf A, B and C loci. Therefore, these patients are not candidates forTESE. In case of obstructive azospermia, sperm can be aspirated with TESA method.

As is the case with oocyte cryopreservation, sperm freezing allows storage of sperms for future use. Viability of sperms can be maintained for many years, if they are frozen correctly. Sperm cryopreservation is considered for patients before cancer treatment, before surgery or in case of failure to give semen specimen while on treatment of infertility or those with low sperm count.