Male Infertility 2020 Flashcards
What should clinicians initiate during the initial infertility evaluation?
Concurrent assessment of both male and female partners.
Expert Opinion
What should be included in the initial evaluation of the male for fertility?
A reproductive history and one or more semen analyses (SAs).
Clinical Principle; Strong Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade B
When should male reproductive experts perform a complete history and physical examination?
When there are one or more abnormal semen parameters or presumed male infertility.
Expert Opinion
In which situations should clinicians evaluate the male partner?
In couples with failed assisted reproductive technology cycles or recurrent pregnancy losses (two or more).
Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C
What counseling should be provided to infertile males or those with abnormal semen parameters?
They should be informed about the health risks associated with abnormal sperm production.
Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade B
What should clinicians inform infertile males with specific, identifiable causes of male infertility?
Relevant associated health conditions.
Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade B
What advice should be given to couples with advanced paternal age (≥40)?
There is an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for their offspring.
Expert Opinion
What discussions may clinicians have regarding risk factors associated with male infertility?
Lifestyle, medication usage, environmental exposures, and occupational exposures, noting that current data on many risk factors are limited.
Conditional Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C
How should clinicians use semen analysis results in managing male infertility?
To guide patient management, especially when multiple abnormalities are present.
Expert Opinion
When is hormonal evaluation (eg FSH, T) recommended for infertile males?
In cases of impaired libido, erectile dysfunction, oligozoospermia or azoospermia, atrophic testes, or evidence of hormonal abnormalities on physical examination.
Expert Opinion
What initial evaluations are recommended for azoospermic males?
Physical exam, semen volume, semen pH, and serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels to differentiate between genital tract obstruction and impaired sperm production.
Expert Opinion
When should karyotype testing be recommended?
For males with primary infertility and azoospermia or sperm concentration <5 million/mL, accompanied by elevated FSH, testicular atrophy, or impaired sperm production.
Expert Opinion
In which cases is Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis recommended?
For males with primary infertility and azoospermia or sperm concentration ≤1 million/mL, with elevated FSH, testicular atrophy, or impaired sperm production.
Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade B
Who should undergo CFTR mutation carrier testing?
Males with vasal agenesis or idiopathic obstructive azoospermia.
Expert Opinion
What is recommended for males harboring a CFTR mutation or with absence of the vas deferens?
Genetic evaluation of the female partner.
Expert Opinion
Is sperm DNA fragmentation analysis recommended in the initial evaluation of infertile couples?
No, it is not recommended.
Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C
What should clinicians do if increased round cells are observed on semen analysis (>1 million/mL)?
Further evaluation to differentiate white blood cells (pyospermia) from germ cells.
Expert Opinion
How should patients with pyospermia be managed?
Evaluate for the presence of infection.
Clinical Principle
Is antisperm antibody testing recommended in the initial evaluation of male infertility?
No, it is not recommended.
Expert Opinion
What evaluations are recommended for couples with recurrent pregnancy loss?
Karyotype analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation assessment of the male partner.
Expert Opinion; Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C
Should diagnostic testicular biopsy be routinely performed to differentiate between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia?
No, it should not be routinely performed.
Expert Opinion
Should scrotal ultrasound be routinely performed in the initial evaluation of an infertile male?
No, clinicians should not routinely perform scrotal ultrasound in the initial evaluation of the infertile male.
Expert Opinion
When should clinicians consider transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of male infertility?
TRUS or pelvic MRI may be recommended in males with semen analysis suggestive of ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO), characterized by acidic, azoospermic semen with volume <1.4mL, normal serum testosterone, and palpable vas deferens.
Expert Opinion
Is routine abdominal imaging recommended for isolated small or moderate right varicocele?
No, clinicians should not routinely perform abdominal imaging for the sole indication of an isolated small or moderate right varicocele.
Expert Opinion