Urology treats urinary tract diseases in all genders and male reproductive issues, covering the kidneys, bladder, prostate, urethra, from infections to complex cancers.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Male infertility is a complex condition, defined as not being able to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. Today, it is understood as more than just a lack of sperm in the semen. It also involves problems in the testicular environment that disrupt normal sperm production. Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, where stem cells multiply, develop into spermatocytes, and then become mature sperm through a process called meiosis.
This process depends on signals from the body’s hormone system, especially the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis, and local signals within the testes. Sertoli cells support and feed developing sperm and help maintain the blood-testis barrier, which protects sperm from the immune system. If any of these systems are disrupted, sperm development can stop or fail, leading to low or absent sperm counts.
With new technology, the definition of male infertility now includes a range of problems, from complete sterility to cases where sperm are present but do not work properly. Issues like DNA damage, oxidative stress, and genetic changes are now seen as key causes of unexplained infertility. As a result, doctors now look beyond basic semen analysis and also check the health and genetics of sperm cells.
Male fertility is mainly controlled by hormones. The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in pulses, which tells the pituitary gland to release Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to make testosterone, which is needed for sperm production and male traits. FSH acts on Sertoli cells to help sperm mature.
Problems in this hormone system often cause infertility. In hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the pituitary does not send enough signals, so the testes become inactive. In hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, the testes do not respond even when there is a lot of stimulation. Knowing how these hormone loops work helps doctors find the problem and choose the right treatment.
Inside the testes, signals involving androgen and estrogen receptors control whether sperm cells survive or die. If these signals are disrupted, often by environmental chemicals or metabolic problems, sperm quality and number can drop. New treatments try to restore these signals using natural hormones or drugs that target these receptors to restart sperm production.
The testis can repair itself well because it contains spermatogonial stem cells. These cells sit at the base of the seminiferous tubules and can both renew themselves and develop into sperm. Even in cases where sperm production is very low, like non-obstructive azoospermia, there may still be small areas where sperm are being made.
Regenerative medicine is working to use these stem cells to restore fertility. Scientists are studying ways to collect, grow, and re-implant spermatogonial stem cells, especially for men who have had treatments like chemotherapy. They are also looking at ways to improve the testicular environment itself, using growth factors or platelet-rich plasma to help repair damaged tissue and reverse shrinkage or scarring.
The testicular niche is the environment that supports stem cells, including the surrounding matrix and support cells. If this environment is damaged by inflammation, oxidative stress, or injury, stem cells can be lost, leading to permanent infertility. Restoring this environment is a main goal of future regenerative treatments.
Worldwide, andrology is moving toward more precise diagnosis and personalized care. Advanced genetic testing can now find specific causes of infertility, like Y chromosome microdeletions or CFTR gene mutations. This information helps doctors predict if sperm retrieval will work and advise couples about the risk of passing on genetic problems.
Assisted reproductive technologies have improved a lot. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) lets doctors fertilize an egg with just one healthy sperm, avoiding many natural obstacles. New methods like magnetic cell sorting or microfluidic chips help select the best sperm, which increases the chances of success.
Artificial intelligence is now used in semen analysis to give objective and consistent results about how sperm move and look. These AI tools can spot small problems that people might miss, making diagnosis more accurate and helping researchers study fertility trends in large groups.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It is a clinical condition that is often treatable. Sterility, on the other hand, implies an absolute inability to produce offspring, often due to the complete absence of sperm production or irreversible anatomical damage. Modern medicine can usually treat infertility, whereas sterility may require donor gametes or adoption.
Environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, can interfere with the hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis. They can mimic estrogens or block androgen receptors, leading to reduced sperm count and quality. Additionally, they can induce oxidative stress, damaging sperm DNA and reducing fertility potential.
The blood-testis barrier is a physical barrier between the blood vessels and the seminiferous tubules of the testes. It prevents the immune system from attacking the developing sperm cells, which are genetically distinct from the male’s own body cells. Breakdown of this barrier due to infection or trauma can lead to the production of antisperm antibodies and autoimmune infertility.
In many cases, yes. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet can significantly impair sperm production. Reversing these factors through weight loss, tobacco cessation, and nutritional optimization can reduce oxidative stress and improve hormonal balance, leading to a recovery in sperm parameters and fertility.
Genetic testing can identify underlying causes of infertility that may not be apparent from a physical exam or semen analysis. Conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, or cystic fibrosis gene mutations can cause infertility. Identifying these genetic factors is crucial for determining the best treatment options and for counseling couples about the risk of passing these conditions to their children.
Dealing with low sperm count can be tough for men who want to have children. The good news is that with the right guidance and
Did you know many men face fertility issues due to lifestyle choices? Research shows that some drinks can really affect sperm health, either for better
Maintaining a healthy reproductive system is crucial for overall well-being. The male anatomy plays a vital role in this aspect, and understanding its components is
About 15% of couples worldwide face infertility challenges. Male factor infertility is behind half of these cases.Knowing your fertility status is key for those trying
Understanding male fertility is now easier thanks to home sperm analysis test kits. We can check sperm count at home, a big step for reproductive
Leave your phone number and our medical team will call you back to discuss your healthcare needs and answer all your questions.
Your Comparison List (you must select at least 2 packages)
