What is the reason for low sperm count?

Many couples hope to have their own children after getting married. However, things do not go as planned. There are still many families who do not have their own children. After years of efforts, they still have not realized their wishes. Instead of complaining to each other, it is better to go to the hospital for examination to find out what is the cause and get timely treatment. In the hospital, we often encounter the problem of low sperm count in men, which is also the most common factor of infertility. So, what is the cause of low sperm count?

1. Endocrine factors: primary gonadotropin deficiency causing hypogonadism, secondary gonadotropin deficiency causing hypogonadism, high follicle-stimulating hormone oligospermia, hyperprolactinemia, chronic adrenal cortex insufficiency, adrenal cortex hyperplasia, thyroid disease and diabetes, etc.

2. Infectious factors: chronic epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis and specific infections, etc.

3. Varicose vein: The local temperature of the testicle increases, which affects the spermatogenic function of the testicle and the motility of sperm.

4. Genetic factors: Abnormal somatic cell karyotype and Y chromosome microdeletion are one of the common causes of sperm disorders.

5. Immune factors: The male blood-testis barrier is damaged, producing anti-sperm antibodies.

6. Cryptorchidism: If cryptorchidism is not treated with surgery at an early stage, it may result in oligospermia or even azoospermia.

7. Hydrocele: Whether it is primary or secondary, hydrocele can cause spermatogenesis disorder and oligospermia due to the increase in local testicular temperature.

8. Nutritional factors: Deficiency of nutrients required for spermatogenesis, such as amino acids, folic acid, vitamins A and E, and trace element zinc, can lead to low spermatogenesis function.

9. Drugs: Some drugs can cause temporary or permanent damage to sperm production, such as: large amounts of corticosteroids, androgens, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, reserpine, furan drugs, cimetidine, nitropropene, spironolactone, colchicine and some antibiotics, some alkyl compounds in cancer chemotherapy drugs, etc.

10. Environmental factors: Long-term exposure to pesticides, chemicals, certain organic solvents and heavy metals, drugs, radiation and high temperatures can lead to low spermatogenesis, resulting in oligospermia or azoospermia.

11. Chronic diseases: Patients with oligospermia and infertility caused by renal insufficiency mainly have dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and may experience varying degrees of hypogonadism.

12. Other factors: Long-term addiction to smoking and drinking, wearing tight pants and taking sauna baths frequently may cause low sperm count.