When it comes to starting a family, male fertility plays a vital role alongside female fertility. However, various factors can impact male reproductive health and fertility potential. Understanding these factors is essential for individuals and couples seeking to optimize their chances of conception. In this blog post, we will explore the key factors that can affect male fertility.
Sperm quality and quantity are crucial determinants of male fertility and can be influenced by a variety of factors.
- Lifestyle Factors: Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and exposure to environmental toxins (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals) can have adverse effects on sperm quality and production.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances can impact male fertility by disrupting the production of reproductive hormones involved in sperm production. These imbalances can be caused by conditions such as hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, or abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
- Varicocele: Varicocele is a condition characterized by the enlargement of veins within the scrotum. It can lead to increased testicular temperature and impaired sperm production and quality.
- Genetic Factors: Genetic abnormalities and mutations can impact male fertility. Conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, and chromosomal abnormalities can lead to impaired sperm production or function.
References:
- Sharma R, et al. Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 2013;11:66.
- Gaur DS, et al. Lifestyle factors and male reproductive health. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2014;140(Suppl 1):S69-S78.
- Age: Advanced paternal age has been associated with decreased sperm quality and an increased risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring.
- Johnson SL, et al. Paternal age and offspring outcomes: epidemiology meets public health. Andrology. 2015;3(5):749-757.
- Hanson BM, et al. Advanced paternal age and the risk of spontaneous abortion: an analysis of the combined 2010–2013 National Survey of Family Growth. Fertility and Sterility. 2017;107(2):300-306.
- Oduwole OO, et al. Male hormonal contraception: a review on the combination of testosterone undecanoate and etonogestrel as a potential male contraceptive. Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 2016;8(2):105-113.
- Silvestri A, et al. Hyperprolactinemia, sexual dysfunction, and male infertility: a narrative review. Andrology. 2013;1(2):290-296.
- Barazani Y, et al. Varicocele and male infertility: part II: pathophysiology of varicoceles in male infertility. Human Reproduction Update. 2001;7(5):473-481.
- Esteves SC, et al. Novel concepts in male factor infertility: clinical and laboratory perspectives. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2016;33(10):1319-1335.
- Olesen IA, et al. Prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions in human sperm DNA: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2017;34(6):697-707.
- Visser L, et al. The genetic basis of spermatogenic failure.