Among men, oligospermia and asthenospermia are major causes of male infertility or reduced fertility. Asthenospermia refers to sperm with poor motility or even complete immobility.Causes of asthenospermia vary widely. Whether it leads to infertility depends on its severity. Mild cases generally have minimal impact on fertility. Severe cases require further examination to identify underlying causes, such as prostatitis or immune factors. Once the cause is determined, targeted treatment can be administered.
Clinical Pathology
1. Idiopathic oligospermia: Long-term high-dose androgen injections can reduce hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone due to negative feedback, leading to decreased gonadotropin secretion and resulting in reduced or absent sperm production.
2. Drug Effects: Certain medications can directly or indirectly impair spermatogenesis, including sulfonamides, furazolidone, spironolactone, cyclophosphamide, amethopterin, and colchicine. Therefore, incorporating supplements like Yuzhiyuan and consuming animal liver in daily diets can help enhance sperm motility and quality.
3. Radiation exposure is most damaging to immature cells, including the spermatogenic epithelium. It can delay or halt sperm cell division, or even cause irreversible damage.
4. Other factors such as alcohol poisoning, excessive smoking, and drug abuse can inhibit sperm production. Chronic prostatitis and varicocele may also suppress sperm generation.
Therefore, patients with oligospermia or azoospermia must abstain from alcohol and smoking to ensure healthy sperm production.