Infertility is a common issue. Infertility affects one in every six couples who are trying to conceive. In at least half of all cases of infertility, a male factor is a major or contributing cause. This means that about 10% of all males in the Australia who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility.
Understanding male reproduction and infertility

Understanding male reproduction
Spermatogenesis:
Which males are more likely to have infertility?
Some males are more likely than others to experience infertility. You might be more likely if:
- You’re overweight or obese.
- You’re age 40 or older.
- You’ve been exposed to radiation.
- You’ve been exposed to environmental toxins including lead, calcium, pesticides or mercury.
- You’re a tobacco, marijuana or alcohol abuser.
- You’re taking some medications including cyproterone, flutamide, spironolactone, bicalutamide, cimetidine or ketoconazole.
- You’re around heat that raises the temperature of your testes. Those who frequently use a sauna, hot tub or wheelchair might experience this.
- You have a history of undescended testicle(s).
- You have a history of varicoceles, which are widened veins in the scrotum.
- You’ve been exposed to testosterone. Some males need injections, implants or topical gel for low testosterone.
What causes male infertility?
Many biological and environmental factors can impact your fertility. Possibilities include:
- Azoospermia: Your infertility can be related to your inability to produce sperm cells.
- Oligospermia: The production of low- or poor-quality sperm.
- Genetic diseases: Examples include Klinefeflter’s syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, microdeletion and more.
- Malformed sperm: Sperm that cannot live long enough to fertilize the egg.
- Some medical conditions: Examples include Diabetes, some autoimmune disorders, cystic fibrosis and some infections.
- Some medications and supplements.
- Varicocele: This is a condition where the veins on your testicles are larger than normal, causing them to overheat, which can affect the shape or number of your sperm.
- Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation or a surgery that removes the testicles (one or both).
- Unhealthy habits: Heavy alcohol use, smoking, illegal drug use and anabolic steroids.
- Trauma to the testes.
- Hormonal disorders: Disorders that affect your hypothalamus or pituitary glands can affect your infertility.
A normal sperm count is considered to be 15 million/mL or more. Men with low sperm counts (oligozoospermia or oligospermia) have a sperm concentration of less than 15 million/mL. If you have azoospermia, you have no measurable sperm in your ejaculate.
- Semen analysis is essential in estimating male fertility but is not a direct measure of it.
- Abnormalities in the semen analysis can occur for numerous reasons, such as incomplete collection by the patient. Illness, fever, stress, and various medications can also affect sperm quality.
- Confirmation of a true sperm problem requires at least a second test. Each variable alone is not a suitable predictor of the fertility status and must be considered in the context of the other parameters and the clinical setting.
How is male infertility diagnosed?
These tests can help diagnose or rule out a male fertility problem:
- Semen analysis: This test checks for problems with sperm, such as low sperm count and poor mobility.
- Blood test: A blood test can check testosterone, thyroid and other hormone levels. Genetic blood tests look for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Scrotal ultrasound: An ultrasound of the scrotum identifies varicoceles or other testicular problems.