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Male Infertility
Infertility is the inability to conceive after at least one year of unprotected intercourse. Since most people are able to conceive within this time, physicians recommend that couples unable to do so be assessed for fertility problems. In men, hormone disorders, illness, reproductive anatomy trauma and obstruction, and sexual dysfunction can temporarily or permanently affect sperm and prevent conception. Some disorders become more difficult to treat the longer they persist without treatment.
Sperm development (spermatogenesis) takes place in the ducts (seminiferous tubules) of the testes. Cell division produces mature sperm cells (spermatozoa) that contain one-half of a man's genetic code. Each spermatogenesis cycle consists of six stages and takes about 16 days to complete. Approximately five cycles, or 2 ? months, are needed to produce one mature sperm. Energy-generating organelles (mitochondria) inside each sperm power its tail (flagellum) so that it can swim to the female egg once inside the vagina. Sperm development is ultimately controlled by the endocrine (hormonal) system that comprises the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Because sperm development takes over 2 months, illness that was present during the first cycle may affect mature sperm, regardless of a man's health at the time of examination.
Incidence and Prevalence
According to the National Institutes of Health, male infertility is involved in approximately 40% of the 2.6 million infertile married couples in the United States. One-half of these men experience irreversible infertility and cannot father children, and a small number of these cases are caused by a treatable medical condition.
Causes and Risk Factors
The primary causes of male infertility are impaired sperm production, impaired sperm delivery, and testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism).
Infertility can result from a condition that is present at birth (congenital) or that develops later (acquired). Causes of infertility include the following:
• Chemotherapy
• Defect or obstruction in the reproductive system such as failure of testes to descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism) or absence of one or both testicles (anorchism)
• Disease (e.g., cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, sexually transmitted diseases [STDs])
• Hormone dysfunction (testosterone deficiency; caused by a disorder in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis)
• Infection (e.g., prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis; can cause irreversible infertility if they occur before puberty)
• Injury (e.g., testicular trauma)
• Medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and digestive disease
• Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis (affects how the body uses and stores iron)
• Systemic disease (high fever, infection, kidney disease)
• Testicular cancer
• Varicocele
Retrograde ejaculation occurs when impairment of the muscles or nerves in the bladder neck prohibit it from closing during ejaculation, allowing semen to flow backward into the bladder and causing infertility. It may result from bladder surgery, a congenital defect in the urethra or bladder, or disease that affects the nervous system. Diminished or "dry" ejaculation and cloudy urine after ejaculation are signs of this condition.
Testicular trauma, resulting from injury, surgery, or infection can trigger an immune response in the testes that may damage sperm. Though their effects are not fully understood, antibodies can impair the ability of sperm cells to swim through cervical mucus or to penetrate a female egg.
Diagnosis
The search for the cause of infertility usually begins with the male, because male examination and testing is less complicated. A thorough examination and a review of the man's medical and surgical history are necessary, because chronic disease, pelvic injury, childhood illness, abdominal or reproductive organ surgery, recreational drug use, and medications can affect fertility. Physical examination may detect testicular irregularities (e.g., vericocele, absence of vas deferens, tumor), evidence of hormonal disorders (e.g., underdeveloped reproductive organs, enlarged breast tissue), or evidence of testosterone deficiency.
Assessing reproductive-fertility history is important; specialists typically inquire about the following:
• Early puberty (may result from hormonal disorder)
• Late puberty (may result from Kallmann's syndrome)
• Previous pregnancy
• Sexual intercourse timing (understanding ovulation)
• STDs (can cause scarring, obstruction)
• Use of lubricants (may kill sperm)
A semen analysis, usually performed by a fertility specialist, is used to examine the entire ejaculate, because seminal fluid can affect sperm function and movement. Generally, three semen samples are taken at different times to account for variables such as temperature and error. Most specialists prefer three samples that differ no more than 20% from one another before proceeding with diagnosis.
Six sperm factors are analyzed in semen analysis:
• Concentration (sperm/milliliter; cc)
• Morphology (sperm shape; normal structure associated with sperm health)
• Motility (or mobility; % sperm movement)
• Standard semen fluid test (thickness, color)
• Total motile count (total number of moving sperm)
• Volume (total volume of ejaculate)
Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in the semen. Men with normal reproductive tracts and hormone systems can have azoospermia due to a lack of sperm-producing tissue in the testes or an obstruction. Obstructions can be viewed with x-ray. The World Health Organization has established criteria for normal sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. Total motile sperm count, which should be about 40 million, is calculated by multiplying volume by concentration by motility.
The semen fluid test looks at factors that may impede sperm performance. Abnormally thick semen may cause sperm to swim more slowly through cervical mucus, obstructing fertilization. Abnormal sperm shape (i.e., disfigured or multiple heads or tails) usually indicates poor sperm health. Infertility is likely if 60% or more of sperm in semen is abnormally shaped.
Other tests are concerned specifically with sperm's ability to swim through cervical mucus and bind to and penetrate an egg. The postcoital Sims-Huhmer, or sperm-mucus interaction test, examines whether the sperm are able to swim through the female reproductive tract. This ability is referred to as forward progression. In the middle of the menstrual cycle, the cervical mucus becomes watery. Intercourse is recommended during this time, followed, the next day, with an inspection of the mucus to determine if
• enough semen was delivered to the cervix;
• sperm are healthy and do not show large numbers of clumped, motionless, or dead cells; and
• sperm are swimming energetically through the cervical mucus.
The sperm penetration assay (SPA), or sperm-oocyte interaction test, examines the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg by combining it with a hamster egg. The immunobead test looks at semen for the presence of antibodies that damage sperm.
Post-ejaculation urinalysis may identify diseases that affect fertility, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and repeated urinary tract infection (UTI). Blood tests identify disorders that impair testosterone and sperm production.
Treatment
At least one-half of male fertility problems can be treated so that conception is possible. There are three categories of treatment:
• Assisted reproduction
• Drug therapy
• Surgery
Therapy includes methods to improve erectile dysfunction, induce ejaculation, obtain sperm, and inseminate an egg:
• Electroejaculation
• Sperm retrieval and washing
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
Electroejaculation This procedure can be used to produce ejaculation when neurological dysfunction prevents it. An electrical rectal probe generates a current that stimulates nerves and induces ejaculation; semen dribbles out through the urethra and is collected. Retrograde ejaculation is associated with the procedure and sodium bicarbonate is usually taken the day before to make the urine alkaline (nonacidic) and nondetrimental to sperm. Candidates for electroejaculation include men who have undergone testis removal (orchiectomy), retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), and those with spinal cord injuries.
Sperm retrieval This technique is used to obtain sperm from the testes or epididymis when obstruction, congenital absence of the vas deferens, failed vasectomy reversal, or inadequate sperm production causes azoospermia. Using a technique called micro epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), a surgeon makes an incision in the scrotum and gathers sperm from the epididymis, the elongated, coiled duct that provides for the maturation, storage, and passage of sperm from the testes. Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA, or fine needle aspiration) is similar to MESA but does not involve microsurgery. A physician uses a needle to penetrate the scrotum and epididymis and draws sperm into a syringe. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE), the removal of a small amount of testicular tissue, is used to retrieve sperm from men with impaired sperm production, or when MESA fails. (see also Testis Biopsy)
These procedures are done under local anesthesia, usually take about 30 minutes, and may cause pain and swelling.
Sperm washing This procedure isolates and prepares the healthiest sperm for insemination. Sperm and washing medium are combined and spun rigorously (centrifuged) and the process is repeated if necessary. The process separates sperm from white blood cells and fatty acids (prostaglandins) in the semen that may hinder sperm motility. It also concentrates sperm, which increases the chance for conception.
Sperm retrieved by MESA, PESA, or TESE may be used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). IVF involves combining eggs with sperm in a laboratory, providing proper fertilization conditions, and transferring the resulting embryos to the uterus. To retrieve an egg, a specialist uses ultrasound to guide a fine needle through the vaginal wall and into the ovary or makes an incision in the abdomen to get to the ovary (laparoscopy). Once the eggs are retrieved, they are combined with prepared sperm in a sterile dish for 2 to 4 days. After fertilization, the embryos are transferred to the uterus. IVF is used most commonly for infertility caused by female reproductive abnormalities.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used with immotile sperm during in vitro fertilization. Using a tiny glass needle, one sperm is injected directly into a retrieved mature egg. The egg is incubated and transferred to the uterus.
Fertilization occurs in 50% to 80% of cases and approximately 30% result in a live birth. The egg may fail to divide or the embryo may arrest at an early stage of development. Younger patients achieve more favorable results and poor egg quality and advanced maternal age result in lower success rates.
ICSI does not increase the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Long-term information about the health and fertility of children conceived through this procedure is not available because it was first performed in 1992.
While excess sperm from MESA or PESA can usually be frozen for future use, most TESE-derived sperm are not of sufficient quality or quantity for frozen storage (cryopreservation). Multiple MESA or PESA procedures are not recommended, since repetition can lead to scarring.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) This procedure is recommended for couples with unexplained fertility problems and normal reproductive anatomy. Mature eggs and prepared sperm are combined in a syringe and injected into the fallopian tube using laparascopy. Embryos that result from this procedure naturally descend into the uterus for implantation.
Average conception rate for these procedures is about 30%.
Drug therapy includes medications to improve sperm production, treat hormonal dysfunction, cure infections that compromise sperm, and fight sperm antibodies. The administration of testosterone is similar to that used to treat testosterone deficiency. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), an antiestrogen agent, may be used to stimulate gonadotropin (a male hormone) release, which leads to testosterone production. Antibiotics, like levofloxacin (Levaquin®) and doxycycline (Periostat®), are used to treat fertility-impairing infections of the urinary tract, testes, and prostate, and STDs.
Surgery is performed to treat reproductive tract obstruction and vericocele. Vasoepididymostomy is a microsurgical procedure that corrects obstruction in the coiled tube that connects the testes with the vas deferens (epididymis). Obstructions commonly result from STDs and also include cysts and tubal closure (atresia), which is usually genetic. Vericocelectomy, the removal of a varicocele from the testes, often results in increased sperm count.
Naturopathic Treatment
Naturopathic treatment for male infertility focuses on improving sperm quantity, sperm quality, and overall male reproductive health. Researchers reported that sperm counts have fallen almost 50% since the 1930s. Although some dispute these findings, it is generally accepted that sperm counts are declining. The cause may be environmental and dietary and lifestyle changes may interfere with men’s sperm production. If this is so, improving diet and making healthy lifestyle choices should positively impact male reproductive health.
Nutrition
The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overstated. To function properly, the reproductive system requires the proper vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficiencies can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production, and contribute to the production of abnormal sperm.
• Eat a natural foods diet that focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Drink ? of body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., a 150 lb man would drink 75 oz of water).
• Eliminate processed and refined foods (e.g., white flour), junk food, sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
• Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (e.g., margarine); use olive oil.
• Pumpkin seeds are naturally high in zinc and essential fatty acids which are vital to healthy functioning of the male reproductive system. Eat ? to ? cup a day of pumpkin seeds to help maintain a healthy reproductive system.
Supplements
The following supplements may increase sperm count and/or motility. Allow 3-4 months for the supplements to work.
• Arginine—Take 4 gr daily. Needed to produce sperm. If the sperm count is below 10 million per ml, arginine probably will not provide any benefit.
• Coenzyme Q10—Take 10 mg daily. Increases sperm count and motility.
• Flaxseed oil—Take 1 tbsp daily. Is a source of essential fatty acids.
• L-carnitine—Take 3-4 grams daily. Required for normal sperm function.
• Multivitamin-mineral—Buy a high-quality product and take one serving size (differs from brand to brand).
• Selenium—Take 200 mcg daily. Improves sperm motility.
• Vitamin B-12—Take 1000 mcg daily. A B-12 deficiency reduces sperm motility and sperm count. Even if no deficiency exists, B-12 supplementation may help men with a sperm count of less than 20 million per milliliter or a motility rate of less than 50%
• Vitamin C—Take 500 mg 2 times daily. Is an antioxidant.
• Vitamin E—Take 400 IUs 2 times daily. Is an antioxidant and improves sperms’ ability to impregnate.
• Zinc—Take 30 mg 2 times daily. Required for a healthy male reproductive system and sperm production.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicines usually do not have side effects when used appropriately and at suggested doses. Occasionally, an herb at the prescribed dose causes stomach upset or headache. This may reflect the purity of the preparation or added ingredients, such as synthetic binders or fillers. For this reason, it is recommended that only high-quality products be used. As with all medications, more is not better and overdosing can lead to serious illness and death.
The following herbs may be used to treat male infertility:
• Ginseng (Panax ginseng)—Known as a male tonic (an agent that improves general health) and used to increase testosterone levels and sperm count. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) may also be used.
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)—Increases sperm motility.
• Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)—Known as a male (and female) tonic.
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)—Used for overall male reproductive health.
Other Recommendations
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased number of defective sperm.
• Consider acupuncture.
• Do not smoke. There is an association between smoking and low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm.
• Proxeed® is a new nutritional supplement that may improve sperm health and fertility rates. The ingredients include L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine, two vitamin-like substances synthesized naturally by the body. These chemicals are involved in cellular metabolism and are found in semen at a rate that is proportionate to the amount of healthy sperm. Proxeed® improves sperm count, concentration, and motility when taken orally for about 2 months. Approximately 30% of couples using it experience pregnancy. It is available without a prescription, although couples considering it should consult their physician.
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