What is Low sperm count: When sperm count is less i.e. decreased in number or amount than normal is called oligospermia i.e. low sperm count. Whenever there is less sperm count then chances of spontaneous pregnancy decreases (i.e. difficulty in conceiving i.e. wife does not becomes pregnant). This is one of the common causes of male factor infertility. This is also one of the most common semen abnormalities in men.
To conceive a child, a male's sperm must combine with a female's egg. The testicles make and store sperm, which are ejaculated by the penis to deliver sperm to the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse.
The most common issues that lead to infertility in men are problems that affect how the testicles work. Other problems are hormone imbalances or blockages in the male reproductive organs. In about 50% of cases, the cause of male infertility cannot be determined.|
A complete lack of sperm is the cause of infertility in about 10% to 15% of men who are infertile. When a man does not produce sperm, it is called azoospermia . A hormone imbalance or a blockage of sperm movement can cause azoospermia.
In some cases of infertility, a man produces less sperm than normal. This condition is called oligospermia. The most common cause of oligospermia is varicocele, an enlarged vein in the testicle.
Oligospermia
Oligospermia or Oligozoospermia, refers 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. 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 and oligospermia may be temporary or permanent.
Sources usually classify oligospermia in 3 classes:
Mild: concentrations 10 million – 20 million sperm/ml
Moderate: concentrations 5 million – 10 million sperm/ml
Severe: concentrations less than 5 million sperm/ml
How sperms develop: When boy becomes of 14 years of age then L.H. & F.S.H. hormone secretion from pituitary increases. The rise in these hormones leads to proliferation of sperm forming cells (Germ Cells) in the testis. These germ cells start multiplying under the effect of above-mentioned pituitary sex hormones along with assistance of other hormones as testosterones, Growth hormones, Androstenidione, insulin like growth factor-I, Thyroids hormone, paracrine hormone & growth factors. Under the control of above-mentioned hormones germs cells divide & transformed into primary spermatocytes. Then further maturation of primary spermatocytes to spermatids & then finally into mature spermatozoa (i.e. normal sperms) occurs under the control of above-mentioned hormones. After few weeks of progressive maturation inside the testis these sperms become normally motile & develop the capacity to fertilize the ovum. This total sperm cycle from first stage to final stage of normal mature sperms is of three months. Any hindrance in the development of these spermatozoa will lead to less count of sperm & decreased motility, immotile or even dead sperms.
Causes of low sperm count: The various causes of low sperm count are as follows:
1) Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism:
a) Deficiency of central sperm producing hormones as LH, FSH & other hormones may occur due to any of the below mentioned cause as Hypothalamic – pituitary deficiency: Idiopathic GnRH deficiency, Kallman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome, Hypothalamic deficiency, pituitary hypoplasia, Trauma, post surgical, postiradiation, Tumour (Adenoma, craniopharyngioma, other), Vascular (pituitary infraction, carotid aneurysm), Infiltrative (Sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, hemochromatosis) Autoimmune hypophysitis, Hypopituitarism, Pituitary, Hypothalamic, Associated with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies: Idiopathic pan hypo pituitarism (hypothalamic defects), Pituitary dysgenesis, Space-occupying lesions (craniopharyngioma, Rathke pouch cysts, hypothalamic tumors, pituitary adenomas), , Laurence-Moon-Beidl syndrome Prader-Willi syndrome , Frohlich syndrome,
b) Drugs (drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, sex steroids use), Glucocorticoid excess
c) Isolated gonadotropin deficiency (non acquired)
2) Testicular disorders (primary Hypogonadism or Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism ), Chromosomal disoreder (Klinefelter syndrome and variants, XX male gonadal dysgenesis), Defects in androgen biosynthesis, Orchitis (mumps, HIV, other viral, ),Myotonia dystrophica, Noonan syndrome, Cytotxic drugs, Testicular irradiation. Toxins (alcohol, opiates, fungicides, insecticides, heavy metals, cotton seed oil), Drugs (cytotoxic drugs, ketoconazole, cimetidine, spironolactone),
3) Partial obstruction in outflow tract from testis to penile pening in epididymis or of vas deferens (cystic fibrosis, diethlstibesterol exposure) also called obstructive oligospermia.
4) Varicocele: varicocele is dilatation of scrotal vein in the scrotum that leads to rise in temperature of testis and raise testicular temperature, resulting in less sperm production & death of whatever sperms are produced.
5) Partial Spermatogenic arrest due to interruption of the complex process of germ cell diffrentation from spermatid level to the formation of mature spermatozoa results in decreased sperm count i.e. oligospermia. Its diagnosis is made by testicular biopsy. This is found in upto 30% of all cases of low sperm count patients.18) Heat Exposure to testis: as febrile illness or exposure to hot ambience induces a fall in sperm count which is usually reversible.
6) Autoimmunity i.e. presence of Antisperm antibody. In some people there occurs development of some abnormal blood proteins called anti-sperm antibodies which binds with sperm and make them either immotile or dead or decrease their count. These Antisperm antibodies bind with spems & either make them less motile, totally imotile or even dead which is called necrospermia.
7) Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). Undescended testis is a condition when one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the lower part of scrotum during fetal development. Undescended testicles can lead to less sperm production. Because the testicles temperature increase due to the higher internal body temperature compared to the temperature in the scrotum, sperm production may be affected.
8) Infections. Infection of urogenital tract may affect sperm production. Repeated bouts of infections are one of the common causes associated with male infertility.
9) Viral orchits as mumps or other viral infections.
10) Infections as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis involving testis or surrounding structures as epididymis.
11) Chronic systemic diseases as Liver diseases, Renal failure, Sickle cell disease, Celiac disease
12) Neurological disease as myotonic dystrophy
13) Development and structural defects as mild degree of Germinal cell hypo-plasia
14) Partial Androgen resistance
15) Mycoplasmal infection
16) Partial Immotile cilia syndrome
17) Drugs (e.g. spironolactone, ketoconazole, cyclophosphamide, estrogen administration, sulfasalazine)
19) Infection – as bacterial epididimo-orchitis, even in prostatis spermatogenic defect have been noted.
20) Hyper-thermia due to cryptorchidism, Environmental exposure as laptop use or hot working conditions
21) Chromosomal abnormality: has been found in many cases of low sperm count
22) Alcohol use, Cocaine or heavy marijuana use or Tobacco smoking may lower sperm count
23) Anti-sperm antibodies.
24) Klinefelter's syndrome. In this disorder of the sex chromosomes, a man has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y. This causes abnormal development of the testicles, resulting in low or absent sperm production. Testosterone production also may be lower.
25) .Mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome. In this disorder of the sex chromosomes, of the man is abnormal. This causes abnormal development of the testicles, resulting in low sperm production. Testosterone production may be low or normal.
26) Trauma to testis
27) Environmental toxins: as Pesticides and other chemicals in food or as ayurvedic medicines.
28) Genetic Factors : as idiopathic partial hypo-gonadotropic hypogonadism
Diagnosis of Cause of Low Sperm Count
For correct diagnosis of cause of low sperm count, we need detail history & physical examinations then certain relevant investigations are required.
History & Physical Examinations: First step in proper treatment is accurate diagnosis of cause of low sperm count. So we first try to find out cause. We take detailed history, thorough drug history and general physical examination, examination of testis, epididymis, testicular veins & sperm carrying duct examinations. These examinations give idea about whether testis is normally developed or not & how is its function. After that depending on likelihood of particular, cause relevant tests are done. All testing facilities are available at our centre. Thus you may consult us at our centre & at same time you may get all tests done. The time taken in getting all the reports ready is 36 hours. So if you are from out of Delhi, you may come here for two days.
Investigation & Diagnosis: For completes diagnosis of causes of decreased sperm count & one or more of the following tests may be required as
1) Complete male hormone profile: This profile includes all the male hormone tests which control testicular development, functions including normal sperm Productions. The tests include L.H., F.S.H., Testosterones, prolactins, thyroids test, & other relevant hormone tests depending on history & examinations.
2) Antisperm antibody
3) USG or Doppler study of scrotum & testis
4) Semen culture sensitivity
5) Semen fructose
6) Immunobead test
7) Sperm Function Tests
8) Human Sperm-Zona Pellucida Binding Ratio
9) Human Sperm-Zona Pellucida Pentration test
10) Genetic Studies
11) FNAC Testis
12) Egg penetration test
13) Molecular genetic studies done in some special cases
14) Chromosome analysis i.e. Karyotype
15) Assessment of androgen receptor
16) Combined Pituitary hormone tests is performed when needed
17) MRI head if pituitary hormone defect suspected
18) Hemogram test for systemic diseases.
19) Sperm Function Tests
The hamster egg penetration assay (HEPA) and the hemizona assay (HZA) are sperm function tests which can help assess the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg. These tests will not definitively tell whether a pregnancy will occur, but an abnormal test result helps predict reduced fertilizing capability. These tests are performed only rarely today.
20) Semen Fructose
At our center facility for all the above tests are available.
Treatment: Once the cause of low sperm count are found then with in three months of treatment sperm count & motility becomes normal in more than 90% cases.
Understanding of Low Sperm Count (Oilgo-spermia) by Modern Medicine fails to impress most patients. Only AYURVEDIC MEDICINES HAVE PERMANENT CURE FOR Low Sperm Count (Oilgo-spermia) .WE AT Dr.S.K.Jain’s Burlington Clinic (P) Ltd Lucknow in valueable guidance of Dr.Saransh Jain Have Permanent Cure.
At Dr.S.K.Jain’s Burlington Clinic (P) Ltd Lucknow we have done extensive research in causes of infertility in men and treatments for the same. We have developed and refined herbal remedies for both oligospermis and azoospermia which have been very successful in curing hundreds of men over the decades.
Varicocele ligation
A varicocele is an abnormal tortuosity and dilation of veins of within the scrotum. It can be surgically treated - which might help fertility in some cases.
Response of treatment: When we start treatment, maturation of spermatocyte to mature spermatozoa start occurring in three to 4 weeks time and achievement of normal sperm count in three months. Thus cure rate is achieved in more than 95% of patients in three months time.
Side effects: This treatment is harmless because we prescribe well proven drugs which are prescribed in scientific literature.