Male Infertility
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Male Infertility ( Summary of TOG+ excerpts from NICE Guidance)
Incidence –
Male factor alone- 30% of infertile couples.
Male factor + female factor- 40%
Normal Semen Parameters- WHO Reference Limits
Semen volume 1.5 mL
Sperm concentration 15.0 x 106/ml
Total number 39.0 x 106/ejaculate
Total motility (PR+NP,%) 40.0 %
Progressive motility (PR,%) 32.0
Normal forms (%) 4.0
Vitality (%) 58.0
Causes of Male Factor Infertility-
- Pretesticular
- Testicular
- Post -Testicular
- Pre-testicular ( Rare- less than 1 % of male infertility)
- Hypothalamic Disease- Gonadotrophin deficiency (Kallman syndrome)
- Pituitary disease- Pituitary insufficiency (tumours, radiation, surgery), Hyperprolactinaemia, Exogenous hormones (anabolic steroids, glucocorticoid excess, hyper- or hypothyroidism)
2. Testicular: Congenital, Acquired
Testicular Congenital- a. Genetic b. Other
Testicular Congenital ( Genetic)
†Chromosomal (Kleinfelter syndrome 47, XXY)
†Y chromosome microdeletions
†Noonan syndrome (male Turner syndrome 45, XO)
Testicular – Congenital, Other
†Cryptorchidism
Testicular- Acquired-
†Injury (orchitis, torsion, trauma)
†Varicocele
†Systemic disease (renal failure, liver failure)
†Chemotherapy, radiotherapy
†Testicular tumours
†Idiopathic
3. Post-testicular (obstruction):Congenital, Acquired, Disorders of sperm function or motility, Sexual dysfunction
Post testicular Congenital
†Cystic fibrosis, congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD)
Post Testicular – Acquired
†Vasectomy
†Infection (chlamydia, gonorrhoea)
†Iatrogenic vasal injury
Disorders of sperm function or motility
†Immotile cilia syndrome
†Maturation defects
†Immunological infertility
Sexual dysfunction
†Timing and frequency
†Erectile/ ejaculatory dysfunction
†Diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord/pelvic injuries
HISTORY-
- Age
- Fertility history- Previous pregnancies – with current and previous partners, Duration of infertility, Previous infertility treatments
- Sexual history- Erection or ejaculation problems, Frequency of intercourse
- Medical History
- Surgical History
- Medications( including supplements / OTC drugs)
- Social- smoking, alcohol, drugs, anabolic steroids, occupational exposure(s)
EXAMINATION
General Appearance
Height, Weight, BMI
BP
Any reduced hair growth, gynecomastia.
Scrotal examination
Epididymis
Penile and prostate examination
TESTS-
- Semen analysis
- Endocrine tests
- Genetic analysis
- Imaging
- Testicular biopsy
Semen analysis–
Clear instructions for collection, transport etc to be given.
To be done after abstinence of 72 hours. Sample should be analyzed within an hour of collection.
If semen analysis shows-
Normal counts– No need to repeat
If low count- repeat after 3 months.
If azoospermia– repeat sample earlier.
Endocrine tests
If count is less than 5 X 109 /mL- FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin should be measured.
Also indicated in impaired sexual function or if signs of endocrine disease.
Genetic analysis
To be done cases of severe oligospermia or azoospermia.
In CBAVD / non palpable vas deferens — Test for cystic fibrosis carrier status.
Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) is the most frequently detected sex chromosomal abnormality. Yq microdeletions are present in about 15% of men with azoospermia and 10% of men with severe oligospermia.
Imaging
Scrotal ultrasound-
- if any testicular tumor is found on examination.
- to look for varicocele.
Renal imaging to be done in absent vas.
TESTICULAR BIOPSY
For diagnosis of severe oligospermia and azoospermia.
- Can facilitate sperm recovery for ICSI.
TREATMENT
- Medical
- Urological surgery
- ART
Primary testicular failure- No treatment. If about to undergo chemotherapy- offer option of semen preservation.
MEDICAL
Gn Rh / Gonadotropins- for Pretesticular
If any specific hormonal condition- specific treatment.
Urological surgery
- Varicocele- NICE Guidance mentions that varicocele surgery should not be offered because it does not improve fertility rates.
There is some evidence of improved semen parameters but not of increased pregnancy rates.
- Surgical sperm retrieval
- Vasectomy reversal
ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
- IUI – Upto 6 cycles of unstimulated IUI can be offered.
Indications- immunologic infertility and mechanical problems of sperm delivery( erectile dysfunction or hypospadias). May have a role in mild male factor infertility ( see below)
Fresh sperm is associated with higher conception rates than frozen–thawed sperm.
Intrauterine insemination, even using frozen–thawed sperm, is associated with higher conception rates than intracervical insemination.
Indications of IUI according to NICE-
- Inability / difficulty in having vaginal intercourse ( using partner or donor sperm)
- conditions that require specific consideration in relation to methods of
conception (for example, after sperm washing where the man is HIV positive)
- people in same-sex relationships.
If such groups do not conceive after 6 cycles of unstimulated IUI, then tubal patency should be tested. If there is evidence of normal ovulation, tubal patency and semenalysis, offer a further 6 cycles of unstimulated intrauterine insemination before IVF is considered.
Monthly conception rate- 8 to 16%
- IVF + ICSI
With ICSI, pregnancy rate is about 33% per embryo transfer.
NICE recommendation for mild male factor infertility- advise them to try to conceive for a total of 2 years (this can include up to 1 year before their fertility investigations) before IVF will be considered. Do not routinely offer intrauterine insemination ( Exceptional circumstances may be considered)
Offspring born to couples using ICSI have higher incidence of chromosomal anomalies.