What Is Asthenozoospermia? Causes, symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Reviewed By: Dr. S. Shashant, fertility specialist at Ferty9 Fertility Center, Secunderabad
Asthenozoospermia or asthenospermia is a male infertility condition characterized by the sperm having poor motility. Motility refers to the capacity of sperm to travel forward efficiently and in a straight path. It is an absolute requirement for natural conception. The likelihood of getting the female partner pregnant is therefore decreased if the male partner has low sperm motility.
What is Asthenozoospermia?
When a significant percentage of a man's sperm exhibits poor motility, it is known as asthenozoospermia, more commonly known as low sperm motility. Sperm motility is an important element in male fertility because it affects the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize the egg. In a conventional semen study, motility is one of the primary indicators used to measure male fertility.
Who Can Get Asthenozoospermia?
It is a prevalent disorder among men who are infertile and can affect any sexually mature male. It is identified when a man's semen sample shows reduced motility of sperm.
Also read: Preventing Yeast Infections in Semen
Types of Asthenozoospermia
Asthenospermia is defined as a condition that impairs the motility of sperm and occurs in multiple types.
- Primary asthenozoospermia: This is brought on by congenital or genetic conditions that affect the movement of sperm directly.
- Secondary asthenozoospermia: External factors such as lifestyle choices, environmental influences, or underlying medical disorders might induce this condition.
- Mild asthenozoospermia: A minor decline in sperm motility.
- Oligoasthenospermia: This subtype combines asthenospermia, or low sperm motility, with oligospermia, or low sperm count.
- Absolute asthenozoospermia: This form of asthenospermia occurs when viable sperm do not migrate at all.
Related read: What is Sperm Morphology & How Does it Affect Fertility?
Asthenospermia Causes
Several factors can lead to asthenozoospermia. The following are a few of these causes:
- Genetic Factors: Sperm motility may be impacted by hereditary diseases or genetic anomalies. Genetic abnormalities and various mutations impact sperm motility, resulting in decreased sperm movement.
- Hormonal Imbalances: The motility and production of sperm can be affected by hormonal diseases such as hypogonadism or thyroid problems.
- Varicocele: This is an enlargement of the scrotal veins that can lead to testicular heat and impair sperm motility.
- Infections: Several infections, particularly those affecting the reproductive system, such as Epididymitis, Bacteriospermia, Orchitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), can impact sperm motility and count.
- Lifestyle Factors: Sperm motility can be adversely affected by smoking, binge drinking, drug usage, obesity, and having a poor diet. Additionally, one of the main causes of asthenospermia might be males who work in professions like driving or horseback riding, which primarily impact the pelvic region.
- Heat Exposure: Regular exposure to hot temperatures (such as those seen in saunas and hot tubs) might lower sperm motility.
- Medications and Treatments: Radiation and chemotherapy are two examples of drugs and therapies that might impair sperm motility.
Also read: Did You Know 1 in 6 People Globally Are Affected by Infertility?
Asthenospermia Symptoms
Usually, asthenospermia does not exhibit any symptoms. Usually, as part of a fertility assessment, a semen analysis is used to identify the condition.
How is Asthenozoospermia Diagnosed?
The principal diagnostic method for asthenozoospermia is a semen analysis.
- Semen analysis: Sperm motility, morphology (form), and count are evaluated in a lab using a microscope to examine a sample of semen.
- Blood testing: Blood tests can identify hormonal abnormalities.
How is Asthenozoospermia Treated?
The goal of treating asthenozoospermia is to improve sperm motility and raise the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. Treatment of asthenozoospermia depends on the underlying etiology. Various treatment options are available, such as;
Lifestyle Changes
Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, having a well-balanced diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly can enhance sperm motility.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormone replacement treatment can be used to treat hormonal abnormalities that influence sperm motility. Treatments have been linked to increased sperm motility or production; these treatments mainly target normalizing the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio, boosting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to stimulate Sertoli cells and spermatogenesis, and optimizing the production of testosterone (T) from the Leydig cells.
Surgical Intervention
Surgical correction of varicoceles may increase sperm motility. A varicocelectomy is a surgical procedure a surgeon might use to treat a varicocele. In order to preserve the spermatic cord's artery and lymphatic supplies, the dilated veins are ligated (tied up) during this treatment.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)
ART, such as IVF or ICSI, can overcome poor sperm motility by injecting sperm directly into the egg during fertilization. ICSI is considered the most effective approach since it assures sperm enters the egg. This is an essential treatment in which the doctor uses a sperm injection to extract a single healthy sperm from your testicles. After collecting the sperm, he will carefully inject it into your female partner's developed egg with a microscopic needle.
Medications
In rare circumstances, medicines might be recommended to improve sperm motility. Antioxidant supplements may be recommended to increase sperm function and motility by lowering oxidative stress.
Conclusion
Couples who have asthenozoospermia may experience mental discomfort and worry as a result of their inability to conceive. It is imperative that couples seek advice from a fertility professional who can identify the precise causes of asthenozoospermia and suggest the best course of action. To increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy, a combination of dietary adjustments, lifestyle behavior, and assisted reproductive technologies may be advised.
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