Causes of Low Sperm Count

The leading cause of male infertility is low sperm count. Others may be low sperm motility, bad quality sperms, lack of semen. In general, most cases of male infertility are due to low sperm count. There are many biologic and environmental factors that can lead to low sperm count. Here is a list if conditions that may cause low sperm count in men.



Age

The effect of aging on male fertility is not clear, however, evidence is growing that it may be a factor. Fertilization rates are usually over 60% for men under 39 but for those over that age, the rates fell to slightly over half.



Temporary and Lifestyle Causes of Low Sperm Count

Nearly any major physical or mental stress can temporarily reduce sperm count. Some common conditions that lower sperm count, temporarily in nearly all cases, include the following:





Emotional Stress. Stress may interfere with the hormone GnRH and reduce sperm counts.

Sexual Issues. In less than 1% of males with infertility problems, a problem with sexual intercourse or technique will affect fertility.

Impotence, premature ejaculation, or psychologic or relationship problems can contribute to infertility, although these conditions are usually very treatable.

Lubricants used with condoms, including spermicides, oils, and Vaseline, can affect fertility. If you need a sperm friendly lubricant, the choice of many couples trying to get pregnant is Pre-Seed.



Testicular Exposure to Overheating.

Overheating (such as from high fever, saunas, and hot tubs) may temporarily lower sperm count. Work exposure to overheating may even impair fertility.


Substance Abuse

Cocaine or heavy marijuana use appears to temporarily reduce the number and quality of sperm by as much as 50%. Sperm actually have receptors for certain compounds in marijuana that resemble natural substances and which may impair the sperm's ability to swim and may also inhibit their ability to penetrate the egg.



Smoking.

Smoking impairs sperm count, sperm motility, reduces sperm lifespan, and may cause genetic changes that affect the offspring. Additionally, a 1999 study found that men who smoke have lower sex drives and less frequent sex.



Malnutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies.

Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate, may be particular risk factors for low sperm count in such cases.



Obesity.

Some studies, but not all, have found an association between obesity in men and low sperm count.



Bicycling.

The simple reason why bicycling is associated to infertility is because blood cells are said to be damaged due to continues contact of the scrotum and the seat. Especially mountain biking is associated with constant bumps due to rugged terrain. This affects the area from the scrotum to the anus. This sport can affect the cells and the nerves that help erection.

Bicycling has been linked to impotence in men and also may affect the sperm count. Pressure from the bike seat may damage blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections. Mountain biking, which involves riding on off-road terrain, exposes the perineum (the region between the scrotum and the anus) to more extreme shocks and vibrations and increases the risk for injuries to the scrotum.



Genetic Factors

Genetic factors are proving to be important contributors to male infertility. Such genetic conditions may be inherited or caused by environmental assaults. Inherited disorders can genetically impair fertility.

Examples include the following:

Cystic fibrosis patients often have missing or obstructed vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm) and hence a low sperm count.

Klinefelter syndrome patients carry two X and one Y chromosomes (the norm is one X and one Y), which leads to the destruction of the lining of the seminiferous tubules in the testicles during puberty, although most other male physical attributes are unimpaired.

Kartagener syndrome, a rare disorder that is associated with a reversed position of the major organs, also includes immotile cilia (hair-like cells in lungs and sinuses that have a structure similar to the tails of sperm). Germ cells may also be affected by this condition.



Environmental Assaults

Over exposure to environmental assaults (toxins, chemicals, infections) can reduce sperm count either by direct effects on testicular function or on the hormone systems, although the extent of the effect and specific environmental assaults involved are often controversial. Some chemicals that affect sperm production men are : Oxygen-Free Radicals, Estrogen emulation pesticidal chemicals (DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, PCPs, dioxins, and furans ), plastic softening chemicals like Phthalates, hydrocarbons (ethylbenzene, benzene, toluene, and xylene)

When one is exposed to toxins, softening chemicals, DDT it can directly affect the functions of the testicles or the hormone system.



Exposure to Heavy Metals.

Chronic exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic may affect sperm production and most often cause a reduced production in otherwise healthy males. Trace amounts of these metals in semen seem to inhibit the function of enzymes contained in the acrosome, the membrane that covers the head of the sperm.

Also metals like cadmium, arsenic or lead can reduce sperm production in healthy males too. Radiation and x-rays exposure affect cells that rapidly divide. Sperms are very sensitive to these and thus reduce in number. It can take up to 2 years to resume to normal production but sometimes the effect can be so damaging that normalcy is never attainted.



Radiation Treatment.

Radiation treatments and x-rays affect any rapidly dividing cell, so cells that produce sperm are quite sensitive to radiation damage. Cells exposed to significant levels of radiation may take up to two years to resume normal sperm production, and, in severe circumstances, may never recover.



Low Semen Levels

A reduced amount of ejaculated semen (less than 0.5 milliliters per sample) may be caused by a structural abnormality in the tubes transporting the sperm.



Varicocele

A varicocele is a varicose vein in the cord that connects to the testicle. (A varicose vein is one that is abnormally enlarged and twisted.) Varicoceles are found in 15% to 20% of all men and in 25% to 40% of infertile men. It is not clear how they affect fertility, or even if they do at all.

Nevertheless you can always improve sperm count .......................................

Temporary sperm count can reduce by excessive cycling, exposure to heat, insomnia, stress – physical & emotional and ill-fitting briefs. However these temporary reasons have a remedy:

Exercise
Regular exercise helps reduce stress and also gains overall healthiness. But excessive exercise can cause harm. Preferably relaxation exercises wards off all kinds of stress. As estrogen and testosterone levels are related to weight exercise helps you keep the right weight.

Body temperature

Excessive exposures to heat like sauna, hot bath channels to low sperm count. Hence, keep away from heaty articles and also from heavy metals.
Medical aid to improve sperm count

Men with low sperm count are asked to give in a sample of the first drops of ejaculation for artificial insemination. As the first drops are said to contain most of the sperm.

Washing

The IVF/GIFT uses this procedure. The procedure includes the separation of the sperm and the semen. This process isolates the sperm of its proteins and enzymes thus enabling it to enter the fallopian tube in full capacity

Above given were some reasons of low sperm count and ways to overcome it. However, one should keep in mind that a man’s fertility ebbs once he crosses the age of thirty. Hence this should be kept in mind before having children.

===

Lifestyle Changes to improve low sperm count


Get regular exercise: While you should avoid vigorous training programs, regular and moderate exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight, helps control stress, and gives you a healthier overall body.

Perform relaxation exercises: Since infertility and life in general can be stressful, learn to relax. Stress is sometimes responsible for certain infertility problems such as hormonal problems.

Maintain a healthy weight: Not too under or overweight since weight influences estrogen and testosterone levels.

Watch your body temperature: Avoid vigorous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas since they raise the body temperature and may cause changes in ovulation and reduced sperm count.

Check for exposure to heavy metals: Heavy metal toxins may affect ovulation. A hair analysis can determine exposure.

Take age into consideration: A man's fertility begins to decrease after he is thirty so take this into consideration when deciding when to have children.
Medical Help to improve low sperm count

When there is more semen than sperm, getting past the cervix is clearly a problem, since most sperm is in the first few drops of ejaculate. Men with poor sperm volume or viscosity are encouraged to withdraw from the vagina just after ejaculation starts. Or they may withdraw prior to ejaculation, collect their semen, and drop it off to a lab for the artificial insemination procedure.

Filtering - Spun-glass fibers are put into a syringe with the sperm, where the sperm are required to pass through the fibers. In theory, the dead sperm should stick to the filter and not make it through. This is a highly experimental procedure with unconfirmed success rates thus far.

Washing- Washing is a now a standard procedure in any IVF/GIFT-like procedure. The sperm are separated from the semen by being spun in what is called a centrifuge. This removes the proteins and enzymes that protect the sperm's head, enabling it to enter the petri dish or fallopian tube fully capacitated.

Multiplicity (na ginaya kay Dandy)

Celebrity Greeters of the Week

"Kayanin nyo kaya kami? Sa aming apat lang ay mapapagod na kayo, paano pa kaya kung kumpleto na kami? Tara na't simulan na nating ilabas ang mga pawis ng ating mga katawan."

- Sex Bomb Girls