Infertility
Male infertility can be caused by many factors that may include unusual stress, fever, certain medications, injury to the testicles and infection. Other causes of infertility include low sperm count, incompatibility of his semen to his wife's cervical mucous and the inability of the sperm to bind properly to the egg.
According to the World Health Organization, a normal sperm count is 50 million sperm per ejaculate with 50 percent mobility (forward motion) and 60 percent normal morphology (shape of the sperm). If the sperm count is under 20 million sperm per milliliter of ejaculate, it will impair fertility. However, counts as low as 5-10 million can still produce a pregnancy if the sperm have adequate mobility and good egg penetration.
Some causes of male infertility
Low semen volume:
This is when the volume of the semen is too low such as one milliliter and there is not enough fluid to let the sperm reach the cervix (entrance to the womb).
There may not be enough semen to protect the sperm from the harsh acidic environment of the vagina and the sperm are killed before they are able to make it to the womb.
Possible treatment to counteract this is artificial insemination so the doctor can get the sperm to the egg.
High semen volume:
When the sperm averages more than 3.5 milliliters per ejaculation, the sperm in the semen may be too low because it becomes diluted.
Possible treatment may be the doctor will concentrate the sperm and place them in the uterus for intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Semen Viscosity: (liquid flow)
When semen is ejaculated, it is coagulated to keep it together and from spilling. After an hour it should start to thin out so the sperm can swim to find the egg.
If this does not happen, the sperm stay trapped within the semen and are unable to swim towards the egg.
One reason the sperm might stay coagulated may be that the prostate gland is infected and antibiotics can cure it. If the prostate is not the cause, artificial insemination may be the solution.
Sperm Morphology:
The morphology of a normal sperm consists of a head and a tail that is 7 to 15 times longer than the head.
Defective sperm may have large heads or kinked, doubled or coiled tails that would decrease their effectiveness in finding the egg and fertilizing it. Possible causes for abnormal sperm include exposure to lead, organic solvents and cigarette smoke.
Debris and Infection:
Too many underdeveloped or immature sperm in the semen may indicate testicular stress from illness or infection.
If white blood cells are present in the semen, this may also indicate an infection.
Overheated scrotum:
If the scrotum is overheated, it will adversely affect sperm production. It may produce abnormal sperm.
One common cause is underwear that is too tight. Other causes may include frequent use of hot tubs or close exposure to high heat that is above body temperature on a regular basis.
Vericocoele:
Diluted veins about the testicle, usually on the left side. This condition reduces the sperm count and correcting it usually causes the sperm count to increase.