Oligospermia Classification and external resources
ICD-10	N46.
ICD-9	606.1

Oligospermia stands for low semen volume and is often mistaken for Oligozoospermia, which means few "animals" (spermatozoa) in semen - a medical symptom of low sperm count affecting men. Oligozoospermia is now related to samples with less than 20 million spermatozoa per ml of ejaculate. Oligozoospermia has many different causes, as many different medical conditions can reduce sperm concentration. The effects of these causes may be temporary or permanent.

It should be noted that although Oligozoospermia is now commonly defined as a concentration less than 20 million per ml, originally it merely meant a low count of sperm was observed. The usefullness of this definition alone is controversial as count per ml is affected by ejaculate volume, which is independent of testis function and rate of sperm production.

Treatment

There is no one reliable treatment available today for increasing sperm count^[1]. Nevertheless, clomiphene citrate, HMG and HCG injections are commonly prescribed. ^[1]

Other commonly used medications and supplements are testosterone, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, anti-oxidants, high-protein diets, hoemeopathic pills , ayurvedic churans,and Unani Majuns but the effectiveness of these have not been clinically tested.^[1] The aim of the vitamin treatments is, in the main, to improve the quality (reduce DNA damage) in the sperm that are produced through antioxidant effects rather than increase count itself.

Usually a Urologist will examine the male reproductive system for structural abnormality, obstruction (such as a varicocele), and pathology. Treatment will be based on the findings of this examination.

Causes

Causes include:

• Y chromosome microdeletion^[1]

However, it is independent of physique, general state of health, diet, libido or sex frequency^[1].

Fertility

Achieving a pregnancy naturally may be a challenge if the male suffers from a low sperm count. However, it is certainly not impossible. While the probability of achieving a pregnancy with a very low count may be lower overall, many couples with this problem have been successful. It is generally more a combination of factors and sperm dysfunction rather than a just low count per se that have major effects on fertility potential.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Malpani Infertility Clinic.

External links

• Underlying causes of Oligospermia

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