Male infertility test methods

Giving birth is one of the most important things in every family. Many people will encounter infertility. Especially in today's society with too much pressure, male infertility is even more common. So what is the cause of male infertility? How can you determine your infertility? Today, we will introduce you in detail the examination methods!

1. Medical history. It is very important to collect medical history correctly. ① Occupation and type of work: whether the patient has been exposed to poisons (lead, mercury, phosphorus), radiation, whether the patient has worked at high temperatures, the duration of exposure, and whether protective measures have been taken; nutritional status; whether the patient has bad habits (smoking, drinking), etc. ② Past medical history: whether the patient has had gonorrhea, mumps, tuberculosis, epididymitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, or spinal cord injury, whether the patient has difficulty urinating, whether the patient has diabetes or hypothyroidism, etc.; treatment status and effect. ③ Marital and sexual life: including attitude towards sexual life, situation and frequency; whether there is spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, etc., whether there is a habit of masturbation before marriage; how is the relationship between husband and wife, the health of the wife, whether the sexual life is coordinated, etc.; the number of years of marriage, cohabitation time and whether contraceptive measures have been taken. ④ Previous examination and treatment: the results of the male's semen examination, the time and method of collection; whether there has been treatment and the effect; the female's examination. ⑤ Family history: whether there are patients with infertility, hermaphroditism, genetic diseases, tuberculosis, etc. in the family.

2. Chromosome karyotype analysis. Used for external genital organ malformations, testicular dysplasia, and unexplained azoospermia.

3. Physical examination for male infertility. The examination includes: ① Penis: pay attention to whether there is severe phimosis, nodules, inflammation, tumors or abnormal development. ② Urethra: whether there is fistula, hypospadias, nodules or stenosis. ③ Prostate: the size of the prostate can be checked through anal examination, whether there are nodules or swellings, and prostate fluid can be massaged for examination. ④ Testicles: measure the size, feel the hardness, whether there are nodules, tenderness, swellings, and whether it is occult testis.

⑤ Spermatic cord: Feel the hardness of the vas deferens and check for nodules, tenderness, and varicocele.

4. Laboratory examination. In addition to semen examination as a mandatory item, the rest should be selected according to the specific situation of the patient: ① Semen analysis: This helps to understand male fertility and is a mandatory item for infertility. The examination content includes color, volume, liquefaction time, pH, sperm count, motility, survival rate and morphology. ② In vitro heterospecies insemination experiment: Even if the routine semen analysis is completely normal, it sometimes cannot fully represent the fertilization ability of sperm. In vitro heterospecies insemination experiment can more accurately estimate the fertilization ability of sperm and is extremely valuable for determining male fertility. The most commonly used is the heterospecies insemination experiment of human sperm penetrating hamster eggs, with the sperm of normal fertile people as a control. ③ Examination of prostatic fluid: Normally, it is milky white and alkaline. Under a high-power microscope, tiny, refractive lecithin particles filling the field of vision can be seen, as well as a few epithelial cells, amyloid bodies and sperm. The white blood cell count is <10. When there is inflammation, the number of white blood cells increases, and even piles of pus cells may be seen, and the lecithin particles are significantly reduced.

5. Testicular biopsy. It is used for azoospermia or oligospermia to directly examine the spermatogenic function of the seminiferous tubules of the testicles and the development of interstitial cells. The synthesis and metabolism of local hormones can be reflected by immunohistochemical staining.

6. Doppler ultrasound examination. It helps to confirm varicocele.

7. X-ray examination. To determine the location of the obstruction of the vas deferens, vasocontrast, epididymography, vasocontrast, seminal vesiculography or urethrography can be used. For patients with hyperprolactinemia, X-ray films of the sella turcica (frontal and lateral views) should be taken to determine whether there is a pituitary adenoma.

8. Endocrine examination. The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis can be understood through gonadotropin-releasing hormone or clomiphene stimulation test, and the testosterone level can directly reflect the function of interstitial cells. If necessary, thyroid hormone, adrenocortical hormone or prolactin can be measured.

9. Immunological examination. Sperm agglutination test or immobilization test is used to detect sperm agglutination antibodies or immobilization antibodies in serum or seminal plasma. Although there are many detection methods, they should be selected according to local conditions.

The above are the common methods for checking male infertility that we have prepared for you today. You still need to search and find more information by yourself. If you have the conditions, you can also consult a professional doctor one-on-one. It is recommended that you pay more attention to your physical health in your daily life, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, do not overeat, and go to the hospital in time if you encounter any problems.