16b. Fertility - Male Fertility Flashcards
Examples of structural factors affecting male fertility
Congenital defect of testes
Undescended testes
Testicular cancer
Surgery/injury to testes
Infections
Ischaemic damage
Why can undescended testes affect male fertility?
Reduced sperm count/quality due to heat
Why can testicular cancer affect male fertility?
Disease or treatment damage sperm
Causes changes to testosterone levels
Why can infections affect male fertility?
Cause permanent damage to the testes, vas deferens or epididymis
Impacts transport of semen to ejaculatory ducts
What are the hormonal factors that can affect male fertility?
Hypogonadism
Obesity
Cushing syndrome
What is hypogonadism?
Reduced function of gonads
Reduced production of sex hormones
What can cause hypogonadism?
Tumour
Illegal drugs
Why can obesity affect male fertility?
Increases peripheral conversion of testosterone to oestrogen
Decreases luteinising hormone
Why can Cushing syndrome affect male fertility?
Increased cortisol results in low sperm count
Examples of health conditions that can affect male fertility
Diabetes
Haemochromatosis
Acute/chronic illnesses
Scrotal varicocele
Why can diabetes affect male fertility?
Neuropathy
Neurogenic impotence
Retrograde ejaculation
Why can haemochromatosis affect male fertility?
Systemic inflammation
Iron deposits in pituitary/gonads leading to hypogonadism/androgen deficiency
Why can scrotal varicoele affect male fertility?
Blocked/enlarged veins = increase in scrotal temperature = reduced sperm production
Why can acute/chronic illness affect male fertility?
Associated with suppression of gonadotropin release
Due to increase in dopamine/cortisol production
Examples of medications/drugs that affect male fertility
Anabolic steroids
Sulfasalazine
Chemo
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Caffeine
Marijuana
