Male infertility

Male infertility is reduced ability of the male reproductive system to contribute to conception, commonly associated with impaired sperm production, function, or delivery.

Spermatogenesis: The process by which germ cells develop into mature sperm in the seminiferous tubules. Disrupted sperm production is a common biological basis of male infertility.
Testis: The male reproductive organ that produces sperm and secretes testosterone. Sperm production occurs within the testes.
Infertility workup: A clinical evaluation of one or both partners to identify factors affecting conception. Male assessment is usually part of evaluating a couple's difficulty conceiving.
Female infertility: Reduced ability of the female reproductive system to contribute to conception. Infertility may involve either partner, both partners, or unexplained factors.
Semen analysis: A laboratory test that measures semen volume and assesses sperm concentration, movement, and shape. It provides the standard initial assessment of semen and sperm characteristics.
Epididymis: A coiled duct where sperm mature and are stored after leaving the testis. Sperm acquire motility and fertilizing capacity during epididymal transit.
Varicocele: Enlargement of veins within the scrotum that can raise testicular temperature and impair sperm quality. It is a potentially treatable finding associated with abnormal semen parameters.
Unexplained infertility: Infertility for which standard evaluation identifies no clear cause in either partner. This diagnosis differs from cases where male-factor findings explain impaired conception.
Obstructive azoospermia: Absence of sperm in ejaculate caused by blockage of the reproductive ducts despite sperm production. It illustrates how sperm delivery can fail even when the testes produce sperm.
Vas deferens: A muscular duct that transports sperm from the epididymis toward the ejaculatory ducts. Blockage or absence of this duct can prevent sperm from entering semen.

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