september 23th, 2010. the inability to become pregnant after one year of vaginal intercourse...
TRANSCRIPT
September 23th, 2010
The inability to become pregnant after one year of vaginal intercourse without birth control.
Primary Infertility Never had children
Secondary Infertility Has had children in the past but is now
unable to
Infertility affects roughly 10-15% of couples in the reproductive age.
33% of the time it is due to problems with the woman
33% of the time it is due to problems with the male
33% of the time it is unknown
Quick, easy tests Medical history and examination Ejaculated sperm are evaluated
The sperm is checked for several factors Sperm count between 20 to 100 million per mL is
normal Movement – 50% should be motile 1 hour
after ejaculation Morphology -Maturity and shape (quality) Volume – 1 teaspoon us sufficient Acidity – should be slightly acidic
If sperm are deemed as abnormal he will see a specialist and experience more tests Hormonal blood tests Imaging tests Testicular biopsy Anti-sperm antibody tests Human / Hamster / cow, egg / cervical
mucus test
The most common cause for male infertility is a problem with the sperm Either low sperm
count or sperm with poor quality.
Sperm with poor quality cannot move rapidly enough or in the right direction, or may be abnormally shaped.
Some conditions that may contribute to sperm problems include: Under-developed testes-usually arising
after a mumps infection, a hernia surgery, an injury or birth defect.
Swollen veins in the scrotum. Undescended testes-a problem often
present from birth in which the testes remain in the body cavity. Normally they descend into the scrotum before birth.
Infections, such as gonorrhea or tuberculosis, that block the ducts through which the sperm travel.
Exposure to metals such as leads, or chemicals such as pesticides.
Certain medications, example: corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs
Injury to the testicles – Blunt trauma, penetrating, and degloving injuries.
Chronic prostate infections
Autoimmunity, in which antibodies or cells of the man's immune system attack sperm cells, mistaking them for toxic invaders. The antibodies attach themselves to the sperm and may cause them to stick together, or may stop them from penetrating the cervical mucus or the egg.
What causes male autoimmunity? Male autoimmunity can develop after
vasectomy.
In retrograde ejaculation the muscles of the urethra do not force the sperm out. Instead, the sperm travel backward into the bladder.
Causes of retrograde ejaculation include: Drugs such as tranquilizers or high blood
pressure medicines. Diseases such as diabetes or multiple
sclerosis. Neck, bladder or prostate surgery. Spinal cord injury.
Sexual difficulties such as impotence, premature ejaculation, or painful intercourse.
Genetic defects or structural problems Hormonal problems (rare) may be present
from birth or can develop from brain or pituitary gland tumours or radiation treatment.
STI’s - It has not been 100% proven that they can in men.
Hormones - occasionally effective
Antibiotics - These may help treat sexually transmitted diseases and other infections.
Corticosteroids - These drugs can aid men who make antibodies to reject their own sperm, but they may also have serious side-effects after long use.
Viagra - The medication improves blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection. Studies have revealed that 70 percent of men who used Viagra improved their ability to maintain an erection.
Varicose (or swollen) veins in the man's scrotum, helping to restore proper sperm movement.
An obstruction in the man's reproductive organs, including the epididymis, vas deferens and ejaculatory duct. These blockages can halt the sperm's passage or prevent it from mixing with semen.
1. What is infertility? K (1)2. How is a male discovered to be infertile? K
(1)3. What are three causes of weak sperm? K (1)4. Why would a low sperm count or weak
sperm cause infertility? I (1) 5. Explain what happens in a retrograde
ejaculation. I (3)6. Do you think retrograde ejaculation could be
corrected? If so, explain what they would do? K (1) I(1)