Is your sperm count low?

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

Most people desire to have a family, including children, at some point in their lives. Not being able to have a child with the partner chosen can be very distressing and frustrating. Having a low sperm count, or poor semen quality, is a common cause of this problem.

Semen contains sperm, fructose sugar (energy source for the sperm), mucus, enzymes, vitamin C, zinc, and other substances, which all help the sperm on its journey to the egg for fertilisation. Male infertility may not just be caused from a low sperm count, but low motility - the ability of the sperm to move. Abnormal shape and problems with the other components of the semen may affect fertility as well.

If sperm have an abnormal shape or poor motility (bad 'swimmer'), then they may not be able to reach or penetrate the egg to bring about fertilisation. Sperm require a slightly lower temperature than normal body temperature for proper development, which is why the testicles hang outside the body.

A low sperm count may be caused by a medical problem. Abnormal veins can warm the testicles too much, reducing production. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections can block the passage that the sperm pass through to become a part of the semen. Prostate infection can affect the quality of the semen.

OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Mumps can damage the testicles, which can reduce or prevent the production of sperm. Retrograde ejaculation, where the semen goes into the bladder rather than out the penis, will prevent semen from even getting to the vagina. This can be caused from diabetes, surgery on the genital tract, some medications, and spinal injuries.

Tumours of, or affecting, the genitals and undescended testicles may also lower sperm count. Abnormal amounts of reproductive hormones can also cause it. Certain treatments such as chemotherapy, some antifungals, testosterone replacement therapy, and long-term use of anabolic steroids may lower sperm count as well.

Environmental and lifestyle factors may also play a role. Exposure to chemicals such as benzene, pesticides, herbicides, painting materials, and lead can lower sperm count. Other possible causes include excessive heating of the testicles caused by sauna, tight-fitting underwear, and using a laptop on the lap, bicycling more than 50 miles or running more than 100 miles weekly, drug use (marijuana, tobacco, alcohol and cocaine), and excessive stress, computer (or video) use, or weight.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall at 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre at Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.