Fertility and Pregnancy - Male Fertility Flashcards
Q: What is the minimum normal semen volume and pH?
A: 1.5 ml or more, pH of 7.2 or higher.
Q: What is the minimum normal sperm concentration per ml?
A: 15 million spermatozoa per ml.
Q: What is the minimum total sperm count per ejaculate?
A: 39 million spermatozoa or more.
Q: What percentage of sperm should be motile in a normal sample?
A: 40% or more motile, or 32%+ with progressive motility.
Q: What percentage of sperm should be alive in a normal sample?
A: 58% or more live spermatozoa.
Q: What is the threshold for normal sperm morphology?
A: 4% or more with normal morphology.
Q: How can undescended testes affect fertility?
A: Heat exposure lowers sperm count and quality.
Q: What are potential structural causes of infertility?
A:
Congenital defects of testes or ejaculatory tract
Testicular cancer or surgery/injury
Ischaemic damage (e.g., sickle cell)
Infections such as post-pubertal mumps or STIs
Q: How do infections affect male fertility?
A: They can cause permanent damage to the testes, vas deferens, or epididymis, impacting semen transport.
Q: What is hypogonadism and how does it impact fertility?
A: Reduced gonadal function and sex hormone production, leading to low sperm production.
Q: How does obesity influence hormone levels related to male fertility?
A: Increases aromatisation of testosterone to oestrogen and lowers LH levels.
Q: What is the impact of Cushing syndrome on sperm count?
A: High cortisol suppresses sperm production.
Q: How does diabetes mellitus affect fertility in men?
A: Causes neuropathy, impotence, and retrograde ejaculation.
Q: What is haemochromatosis and its effect on male fertility?
A: Iron overload causing inflammation and damage to pituitary/gonads → hypogonadism.
Q: What is a scrotal varicocele and its impact on fertility?
A: Enlarged veins raise scrotal temperature and reduce sperm production.
Q: How can chronic illness affect male fertility?
A: Suppresses gonadotropin release due to elevated dopamine, opioids, and cortisol.
Q: What is the effect of sulfasalazine on sperm?
A: Temporarily reduces sperm count (reversible).
Q: How do anabolic steroids impair male fertility?
A: Suppress natural testosterone and reduce sperm count/motility.
Q: What is the impact of chemotherapy on male fertility?
A: Can severely reduce sperm production, sometimes permanently.
Q: Name 3 substances that reduce sperm count and quality.
A: Alcohol, caffeine, marijuana (also includes cigarettes and certain medications).
Q: How do pesticides and endocrine disruptors affect fertility?
A: Interfere with hormone function and damage sperm quality.
Q: How does mobile phone exposure affect sperm?
A: Radiation and EMFs increase oxidative stress and reduce sperm count/quality.
Q: What environmental toxins are known to damage sperm?
A: Heavy metals (lead, mercury), BPA, and phthalates.
Q: How does heat exposure compromise sperm production?
A: Raises scrotal temperature — e.g., hot baths, tight underwear, cycling, phones in pocket.
Q: Are lubricants like KY Jelly safe for sperm?
A: No, they are spermatotoxic.
Q: What lifestyle factors contribute to oxidative stress affecting sperm?
A: Poor diet, smoking, obesity, alcohol — all can cause DNA fragmentation and abnormal morphology.
