Male infertility: All about Oligospermia/ Low sperm count

Oligospermia or Low sperm count is an abnormality in the sperm, in terms of the amount of sperm. When do we talk about oligospermia? What can we do about this type of male infertility, especially with a view to pregnancy? What are the causes of oligospermia? We tell you everything about what is hidden behind this medical term.

But if it is generally easy to submit to a spermogram , it can be much more complicated to understand the terms indicated in the analysis result of this sample.

The various possible sperm alterations thus include:

• Oligospermia/ Low sperm count , which means a low number of sperm;
• Asthenospermia or asthenozoospermia, characterized by a low mobility of the spermatozoa;
• The necrospermia or nécrozoospermie, characterizing the presence of a very large number of dead sperm (over 42%);
• Azoospermia , which means the complete absence of sperm in the sperm;
• And finally teratospermia , designating an abnormal morphology of the spermatozoa.

Note that these terms can unfortunately be combined: it is possible to have oligospermia (Low sperm count), asthenospermia and teratospermia. We then speak of oligo-astheno-teratospermia (OATS).
When it is severe (less than 1 million spermatozoa per ml, no or very few motives, very many
abnormal forms), it is also called cryptozoospermia .

What are Low sperm count symptoms?

Low sperm count signs include-

The diagnosis of oligospermia is possible thanks to the realization of a spermogram. We speak of oligospermia when the ejaculate contains an abnormally low number of spermatozoa (sptz). The World Health Organization estimates that there is oligospermia when a concentration of less than 20 million sperm per milliliter (20.106 / ml).

However, there are degrees of oligospermia:

• It is said to be moderate when the count is between 10 and 20.106 spermatozoa / ml;
• It is marked when the count is between 5 and 10.106 sptz / ml;
• It is considered to be severe when the count is lower than 5.106 sptz / ml.

Note that these ranges can vary from one center for assisted reproductive technology to another, with some giving the following intervals:

• Mild oligospermia with 5 <count <14.106 sptz / ml;
• Moderate oligospermia with 1 <count <5.106 sptz / ml;
• Severe oligospermia when the count is less than 1 million sperm (1,106 sptz / ml).

What are the Low sperm count causes?

Different causes can be the cause of oligospermia, including:

• A testicular varicocele , a large varicose dilation (varicose veins) of the veins of the spermatic cord, located in the bursae, above and around each testicle;
• A hormonal defect or deficiency;
• An infection that has caused obstruction of the vas deferens or inflammation of the seminal vesicles;
• A testicular malformation ;
• Poorly treated testicular torsion;
• A genetic defect ;
• Drug treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.);
• Exposure of the testicles to high temperatures;

Low sperm count treatment-


However, it can be good to adopt hygieno-dietetic measures as a natural treatment for oligospermia , to try to improve spermatogenesis:

• Stop or at least decrease alcohol, tobacco, caffeine;
• Keep a normal body mass index
• Play sports regularly;
• Make sure to keep a healthy and balanced diet.

To treat it and try to carry out a pregnancy in spite of this, one can have recourse to medically assisted procreation , and in particular to artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization with or without ICSI (intracytoplasmic injection of sperm in the ovum).

To know more about Low sperm count, low sperm count symptoms, low sperm count signs, low sperm count causes or low sperm count treatment, visit the best fertility clinic in India.