Male infertility may be suspected whenever a couple fails to achieve pregnancy after about 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. Between 40% and 50% of infertility problems in the United States are totally or partially attributed to the male. (See also “Infertility, female,” page 443.)
Factors that cause male infertility include:
❑ varicocele, a mass of dilated and tortuous varicose veins in the spermatic cord
❑ semen disorders, such as volume or motility disturbances or inadequate sperm density
❑ proliferation of abnormal or immature sperm, with variations in the size and shape of the head
❑ systemic disease, such as diabetes mellitus, neoplasms, liver or kidney disease, or viral disturbances, especially mumps orchitis
❑ genital infection, such as gonorrhea, tuberculosis, or herpes
❑ disorders of the testes, such as cryptorchidism, Sertoli-cell–only syndrome, varicocele, ductal obstruction (caused by absence or ligation of the vas deferens or infection), hydrocele (collection of fluid in the testes), or infection (orchitis and epididymitis).
❑ genetic defects, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome (chromosomal pattern XXY, eunuchoidal habitus, gynecomastia, and small testes) or Reifenstein’s syndrome (chromosomal pattern 46XY, reduced testosterone, azoospermia, eunuchoid-ism, gynecomastia, and hypospadias)
❑ immune disorders, such as autoimmune infertility and allergic orchitis
❑ endocrine imbalance (rare) that disrupts pituitary gonadotropins, inhibiting spermatogenesis, testosterone production, or both; such imbalances occur with Kallmann’s syndrome, panhypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia
❑ chemicals and drugs that can inhibit gonadotropins or interfere with spermatogenesis, such as arsenic, methotrexate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, nitrofurantoin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and some antihypertensives
UNDER STUDY: Researchers have found a significant association between abnormally high serum lead levels and low fertilization rates in males and females. Couples with unexplained fertility problems should have their serum lead levels measured as part of an infertility evaluation.
❑ sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory incompetence, and low libido.
Other factors include age, occupation, trauma to the testes, and tight-fitting clothing that constricts the scrotum and affects sperm production.
The obvious indication of male infertility is failure to impregnate a fertile woman. Signs and symptoms include:
❑ atrophied testes
❑ empty scrotum
❑ scrotal edema
❑ varicocele or anteversion of the epididymis
❑ inflamed seminal vesicles
❑ beading or abnormal nodes on the spermatic cord and vas deferens
❑ penile nodes, warts, or plaques or hypospadias
❑ prostatic enlargement, nodules, swelling, or tenderness.
In addition, male infertility is commonly apt to induce troublesome negative emotions in a couple, such as anger, hurt, disgust, guilt, and loss of self-esteem.
A detailed patient history may reveal abnormal sexual development, delayed puberty, infertility in previous relationships, and a medical history of prolonged fever, mumps, impaired nutritional status, previous surgery, or trauma to the genitalia.
After a thorough patient history and physical examination, the most conclusive test for male infertility is semen analysis. Other laboratory tests include gonadotropin assay to determine the integrity of the pituitary gonadal axis, serum testosterone levels to determine organ response to luteinizing hormone (LH), urine 17-ketosteroid levels to measure testicular function, and a testicular biopsy to help clarify unexplained oligospermia and azoospermia. Vasography and seminal vesiculography may be necessary.
When anatomic dysfunction or infection causes infertility, treatment consists of correcting the underlying problem. A varicocele requires surgical repair or removal.
For patients with sexual dysfunction, treatment includes education, counseling or therapy (on sexual techniques, coital frequency, and reproductive physiology), and proper nutrition with vitamin supplements.
Decreased follicle-stimulating hormone levels may respond to vitamin B therapy; decreased LH levels may respond to chorionic gonadotropin therapy. A normal or elevated LH level requires low dosages of testosterone. Decreased testosterone levels, decreased semen motility, and volume disturbances may respond to chorionic gonadotropin.
Patients with oligospermia who have a normal history and physical examination, normal hormonal assay results, and no signs of systemic disease require emotional support and counseling, adequate nutrition, multivitamins, and selective therapeutic agents, such as clomiphene, chorionic gonadotropin, and low dosages of testosterone. Obvious alternatives to such treatment are adoption and artificial insemination.
❑ Help prevent male infertility through patient education. (See Preventing male infertility.)
❑ Educate the couple, as necessary, regarding reproductive and sexual functions and about factors that may interfere with fertility such as the use of lubricants and douches.
❑ Urge men with oligospermia to avoid habits that may interfere with normal spermatogenesis by elevating scrotal temperature, such as wearing tight underwear and athletic supporters, taking hot tub baths, and habitually riding a bicycle. Explain that cool scrotal temperatures are essential for adequate spermatogenesis.
❑ When possible, advise infertile couples to join group programs to share their feelings and concerns with other couples who have the same problem.
Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Male infertility:
Copyright Details: Handbook of Diseases, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.
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Title: Handbook of Diseases Authors: Springhouse Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 1-58255-266-5 
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