Very often, the man first discovers the bad sperm production, when he is investigated for infertility. No other symptoms are associated with this condition. 

Infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea can result in a stop of the passage for the sperm cells in the epididymis or the sperm duct. Mumps in grown-up men can lead to sterility because the sperm producing tissue is destroyed. In some cases the sterility can be solved through an operation or through extraction of the sperm cells directly from the epididymis or from the testicle.

Even shorter periods of high fever can reduce the sperm quality for up to 3 months. Therefore, if the man has suffered from fever, the semen sample should be checked immediately.

Today we know that men with very low sperm count have a 42 times higher risk of getting a testicle cancer. Therefore all these men should be scanned on their testis to exclude this.

Up to 2% of the infertile male population with severe low sperm production has a chromosome failure. This should be checked by a blood test before fertility treatment is initiated.

In some cases the sperm mobility, although the sperm is perfectly normal, is compromised by antibodies against the sperm cell. This will immobilize the spermatozoa and make the man infertile. This situation is often seen after trauma and male sterilization.

If the male semen sample is only moderately decreased, intrauterine insemination is used. For severe male factor the only treatment is micro insemination or even if there is no spermatozoa, the solution is TESA, a method where the sperm cells are retrieved via a small puncture of the testis.

• Insemination (IUIH)
• Insemination with donor sperm (IUID)
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
• Micro insemination (ICSI)