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• Highlights
• Introduction
• Male Reproductive System
• Sperm Abnormalities
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies
• Complications of ART
• Other Treatments
• Resources
• References

Infertility in men

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of male infertility.

Highlights

Age and Male Infertility

Men who wait until later in life to have children may have a more difficult time fathering a successful pregnancy. According to a 2006 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , the genetic quality of sperm declines as a man ages. Previous studies have indicated that aging negatively affects sperm counts and sperm motility (the sperm’s ability to move). This new research suggests that poor sperm motility is linked to DNA fragmentation, which increases the chances for male infertility and the likelihood of fathering children with genetic problems. Researchers found that the rare genetic mutations associated with dwarfism increased by 2% with every year of a man’s age.

Obesity and Male Infertility

A 20-pound increase in a man’s weight raises his chance for infertility by 10%, according to a 2006 study in Epidemiology . In a study of nearly 1,500 couples, researchers found that men with a higher body mass index were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men. Previous studies have shown that obesity is also associated with female infertility. Some studies suggest that overweight and obese men may have poorer sperm quality.

Cancer and Male Infertility

Freezing and storing sperm for later use (sperm cryopreservation) is the best method for preserving fertility in men undergoing cancer treatments, advises the American Society of Oncology’s (ASCO) 2006 guidelines. Investigational techniques include testicular cryopreservation -- the freezing and storing of testicular tissue. ASCO recommends that men with cancer consult a reproductive specialist to discuss all possible fertility preservation options.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Children conceived with ICSI are healthy and develop normally, according to research presented at a 2006 reproductive meeting. Researchers studied 8-year-old children conceived with ICSI and found no major medical differences between them and children conceived naturally. ICSI is one of the main assisted reproductive technologies used for couples with male-based infertility.

• Review Date: 10/20/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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