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
Why can anabolic steroids affect male fertility?
Increases testosterone levels but impairs body’s own production of the hormone
Reduces sperm count/motility
Why can sulfasalazine affect male fertility?
Reduced sperm count
(but only while taking the drug)
Why can chemo affect male fertility?
Severely reduces sperm production
Why can medicinal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and marijuana affect male fertility?
Reduces sperm count/concentration/motility
Examples of environmental factors that affect male fertility
Pesticides/endocrine disruptors
Mobile phones
Heavy metals
Heat exposure
Spermatotoxic lubricants
Excessive oxidation
Why can mobile phones affect male fertility?
Interferes with normal spermatogenesis
Decreases sperm count/quality
Increased heat/radiation/EMFs
Why can heat exposure affect male fertility?
Compromises sperm production
Examples of heat exposure that affects male fertility
Hot baths
Cycling
Tight underwear
Mobile phone in pocket
Why can excessive oxidation affect male fertility?
Poor diet/smoking/obesity/alcohol
Can cause DNA fragmentation
Reduced sperm morphology
