Terms oligospermia, oligozoospermia, and low sperm count refer to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility. Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility (technically oligoasthenoteratozoospermia). There has been interest in replacing the descriptive terms used in semen analysis with more quantitative information.
The diagnosis of oligozoospermia is based on one low count in a semen analysis performed on two occasions. For many decades sperm concentrations of less than 20 million sperm/ml were considered low or oligospermic, recently, however, the WHO reassessed sperm criteria and established a lower reference point, less than 15 million sperm/ml, consistent with the 5th percentile for fertile men. Sperm concentrations fluctuate daily and oligozoospermia may be temporary or permanent.
The diagnosis of oligozoospermia requires a work-up via semen analysis (listed in Male infertility).
There are many causes for oligospermia including:
Pre-testicular factors refer to conditions that impede adequate support of the testes and include situations of poor hormonal support and poor general health including:
Hypogonadism due to various causes
Drugs, alcohol, smoking
Strenuous riding (bicycle riding, horseback riding)
Medications, including androgens.
Testicular factors refer to conditions where the testes produces semen of poor quality despite adequate hormonal support and include:
Age
Genetic defects on the Y chromosome
Y chromosome microdeletions
Abnormal set of chromosomes
Klinefelter syndrome
Neoplasm, e.g. seminoma
Cryptorchidism
Varicocele (14% in one study)
Trauma
Hydrocele
Mumps
Malaria
Defects in USP26 enzyme in some cases
Mast cells releasing inflammatory mediators appear to directly suppress sperm motility in a potentially reversible manner, and may be a common pathophysiological mechanism for several of the above-mentioned factors.
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Male infertility refers to a sexually mature male's inability to impregnate a fertile female. In humans it accounts for 40–50% of infertility. It affects approximately 7% of all men. Male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is used as a surrogate measure of male fecundity. More recently, advance sperm analyses that examine intracellular sperm components are being developed.
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are synthetic substances that mimic the effects of testosterone, the male sex hormone. They are used to increase muscle size, strength, and performance and are commonly associated with athletic performance enhancement and bodybuilding. Anabolic steroids are classified as Schedule III controlled substances in many countries due to their potential for abuse and adverse health effects. Health risks can be produced by long-term use or excessive doses of AAS.
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