Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Male Infertility: Diagnosis and Medical Management

  • Chapter
Infertility

Part of the book series: Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology ((CPOG))

Abstract

The first and most important rule in the evaluation of infertility is to consider the couple as a unit in the evaluation and treatment of infertility. Too often a woman is investigated extendsively only to discover later that her husband is azoospermic; likewise, a man may undergo lengthy treatmnet for oligospermia while his wife has an undiagnosed tubal obstruction or anovulatory cycles. The evaluation of both the man and woman should proceed in parallel until a significant problem is uncovered. Ideal management is best achieved when the couple is seen together by a team of physicians. When the man is under teh care of either an endocrinologist or a urologist and the woman is under the care of a gynecologist, communication between physicians must be ongoing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Heller CG, Clermont Y. Kinetics of the germinal epithelium in man. Recent Prog Horm Res 1964; 20: 545–575.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Mann T. Biochemistry of semen in the male reproductive tract. London: Methuen, 1964:1– 493.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Monesi V. Spermatogenesis and the spermatozoa. In: Austin CR, Short RV, eds. Reproduction in mammals. Cambridge: University Press, 1972: 46–84.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ruokonen A, Laatikainen T, Laitinen EA, Vihko R. Free and sulfate-conjugated neutral steroids in human testis tissue. Biochemistry 1972; 11: 1411–1416.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Morse HC, Horike N, Rowley MJ, Heller CG. Testosterone concentrations in testes of normal men: effects of testosterone proprionate administration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1973; 37: 882–886.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bardin CW, Paulsen CA. The testes. In: Williams RH, ed. Textbook of endocrinology, 6th. ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1981: 293–354.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Swerdloff RS. Physiology of male reproduction. Hypothalamic-pituitary function and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In: Harrison JH, ed. Campbells urology, 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1978: 125–133.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Baker HWG, Bremner WJ, Burger HG, et al. Testicular control of follicle stimulating hormone secretion. Recent Prog Horm Res 1976: 32: 429–476.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Van Thiel DH, Sherins RJ, Meyers GH Jr, De Vita VT Jr. Evidence for a specific seminiferous tubular factor affecting FSH secretion in man. J Clin Invest 1971; 51: 1009–1019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ward DN, Glenn SD, Wan-Kyng L, Gordon WL. Chemistry of gonadal peptides. In: Greenwald GW, Teranova PF, eds. Factors regulating ovarian function. New York: Raven Press, 1983: 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Mann T, Lutwak-Mann C. Epididymis and epididymal semen. In: Male reproductive function and semen. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1981: 147–148.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. Mann T. Secretory function of the prostate, seminal vesicle and other male accessory organs of reproduction. J Reprod Fertil 1974; 37: 179–188.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Rogers G. Mammalian sperm capacitation and fertilization in vitro: a critique of methodology. Gamete Research 1978; 1: 165–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Shapiro BM, Eddy EM. When sperm meets egg: biochemical mechanisms of gamete interaction. Int Rev Cytol 1980; 66: 257–302.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chang MC. A detrimental effect of seminal plasma on the fertilizing capacity of sperm. Nature 1957; 179: 258–259.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Eng LA, Oliphant G. Rabbit sperm reversible decapacitation by membrane stabilization with a highly purified glycoprotein from seminal plasma. Biol Reprod 1978; 19: 1083–1094.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Reyes A, Oliphant G, Brackett BG. Partial purification and identification of a reversible decapacitation factor from rabbit seminal plasma. Fertil Steril 1975; 26: 148–157.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Edwards RG.in the human female. New York: Academic Press, 1980: 586–592.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hartree EF, Srivastava PN. The chemical composition of the acrosomes of ram spermatozoa. J Reprod Fertil 1965; 9: 47–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Zaneveld LJD, Williams WL. A sperm enzyme that disperses the corona radiata and its inhibition by decapacitation factor. Biol Reprod 1970; 2: 363–368.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. ReddyJM, Joyce C, Zaneveld LJD. Role of hyaluronidase in fertilization; the antifertility activity of myocrisin, a nontoxic hyaluronidase inhibitor. J Androl 1980; 1: 28–32.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Aiman J. Infertility. In: Duenhoelter J, ed. Greenhill’s office gynecology. Chicago: Yearbook Medical Publishers, 1983: 188–223.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Swerdloff RS, Boyers SP. Evaluation of the male partner in an infertile couple. JAMA 1982; 247: 2418–2422.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zaneveld LJD, Tauber PF, Port C, Propping D, Schumacher GFB. Scanning election microscopy of the human, guinea-pig and rhesus monkey seminal coagulum. J Reprod Fertil 1974; 40: 223–225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lukac J, Koren E. Mechanism of liquefaction of the human ejaculate. II. Role of collagenaselike peptidase in seminal proteinase. J Reprod Fertil 1979; 56: 501–506.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Koren E, Milkovic S. “Collagenase-like” peptidase in human rat and bull spermatozoa. J Reprod Fertil 1973; 32: 349–356.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Jouannet P, Volocnine B, Deguent P, et al. Light scattering determination of various characteristic parameters of spermatozoa motility in a series of human sperm. Andrologia 1977; 9: 36–49.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sokolowski JE, Blasco L, Storey BP. Turbidimetric analysis of human sperm motility. Fertil Steril 1977: 28: 1337–1341.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Overstreet JW, Jatv BF, Hanson FW, et al. A simple, inexpensive method for objective assessment of human sperm movement characteristics. Fertil Steril 1979; 31: 162–172.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Eliasson R. Analysis of semen. In: Behrman SJ, Kistner RW, eds. Progress in infertility. Boston: Little, Brown 8c Co., 1975: 691–714.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Sherins RJ, Brightwell D, Sternphal PM. Longitudinal analysis of semen of fertile and infertile men. In: Troen P, Nankin H, eds. The testis in normal and infertile men. New York: Raven Press, 1977: 473–478.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Yanagimachi R. Penetration of guinea pig spermatozoa into hamster eggs in vitro. J Reprod Fertil 1972; 28: 477–480.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Yanagimachi R, Yanagimachi H, Rogers BJ. 196 Rebecca Z. Sokol and Ronald S. Swerdloff The use of zona-free animal ova as a test system for the assessment of the fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa. Biol Reprod 1976; 15: 471–476.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Hanada A, Chang MC. Penetration of zonafree eggs by spermatozoa of different species. Biol Reprod 1972; 6: 300–309.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Rogers BJ, Van Campen H, Ueno M, Lambert H, Bronson R, Hale R. Analysis of human spermatozoal fertilizing ability using zona-free ova. Fertil Steril 1979; 32: 664–670.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hall JL. Relationship between semen quality and human sperm penetration of zona-free hamster ova. Fertil Steril 1981; 35: 457–463.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Blazak WF, Overstreet JW. Competitive penetration of zona-free hamster eggs by spermatozoa from fertile donors. Fertil Steril 1981; 35: 246–247 (Abs).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gudman BA, Sokolowski JE, Blasco L, Wolf DP. The “Humster Test” its use and variability in analyzing human sperm fertilizing ability. Fertil Steril 1981; 35: 251–252 (Abs).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Rudak E. Interspecific fertilization. In: Jagillo G, Vogel HJ, eds. Bioregulators of reproduction. New York: Academic Press, 1981: 168–186.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Alexander NJ. Evaluation of male infertility with an in vitro cervical mucous penetration test. Fertil Steril 1981; 36: 201–208.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Chappel SC, Ulloa-Aguirre A, Coutifaris C. Biosynthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone. Endocr Rev 1983; 4: 179–211.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. de Kretser DM. The endocrinology of male infertility. Br Med Bull 1979; 35: 187–192.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Glass AR, Swerdloff RS, Bray GA, et al. Low serum testosterone and sex-hormone-bindingglobulin in massively obese men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1977; 45: 1211–1219.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Aiman J, Griffin JE. The frequency of androgen receptor deficiency in infertile men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1982; 54: 725–732.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Rosemberg E. Gonadotropin therapy of male infertility. In: Hafez ESE, ed. Human semen and fertility regulation in men. St. Louis: CV Mosby Co., 1976: 464–475.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Hoffman AF, Crowley WF. Induction of puberty in men by long-term pulsatile administration of low-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone. N Eng J Med 1982; 307: 1237–1241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Andaloro UA and Duke A. Treatment of retrograde ejaculation with brompheniramine. Urology 1975; 5: 520–522.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Moghissi KS, Gruber JS, Evans S, Yanez J. Homologous artificial insemination. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977; 129: 909–915.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. MacLeod J, Hotchkiss RS. The distribution of spermatozoa and of certain chemical constituents in human ejaculate. J Urol 1942: 48: 225–229.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Amelar RD, Hotchkiss RS. The split ejaculate. Fertil Steril 1965; 16: 46–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Eliasson P, Lindholmer C. Distribution and properties of spermatozoa in different fractions of split ejaculates. Fertil Steril 1972; 23: 252–256.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Dixon RE, Buttram VC, Schum CW. Artificial insemination using homologous semen: a review of 158 cases. Fertil Steril 1976; 27: 647–654.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Weiland RG, Amari AH, Klein DE, Doshi NS,Hallberg MC, Chen JC. Idiopathic oligospermia:control observations and response to cisclomiphene.Fertil Steril 1972: 23: 471–474.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Masala A, Delitala G, Alagna S, Devilla L, Lotti G. Effect of clomiphene citrate on plasma levels of immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, gonadotropin and testosterone in normal subjects and in patients with idiopathic oligospermia. Fertil Steril 1978; 29: 424–427.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Foss GL, Tindall VR, Birkett JP. The treatment of subfertile men with clomiphene citrate. J Reprod Fertil 1973; 32: 167–170.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Vermeulen A, Comhaire F. Hormonal effects of an antiestrogen, tamoxifen, in normal and

    Google Scholar 

  57. Willis KJ, London DR, Bevis MA, Butt WR, Lynch SS, Holder G. Hormonal effects of tamoxifen in oligospermic men. J Endocrinol 1977; 73: 171–178.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Comhaire F. Treatment of oligospermia with tamoxiphen. Int J Fertil 1976; 21: 232–238.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Buvat J, Ardaens K, Lemaire A, Gauthier A,Gasnault JP, Buvat-Herbaret M. Increased sperm count in 25 cases of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligospermia following treatment with tamoxifen. Fertil Steril 1983; 39: 700–703.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Comhaire FH, Tamoxifen. In: Bain J, Schill W-B, Schwarzstein L, eds. Treatment of male infertility. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1982: 45–53.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  61. Vigersky RA, Glass AR. Effects of delta- 1-testolactone on the pituitary-testicular axis in oligospermic men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981; 52: 897–902.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Lacroix A, McKenna TJ, Rabinowitz D. Sex steroid modulation of gonadotropins in normal men and in androgen insensitivity syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1979; 48: 235–240.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Franchimont P, Chari S, Demoulin A. Hypothalamic-pituitary testis interaction. J Reprod Fertil 1975; 44: 335–350.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Peterson NT Jr, Midgley AR, Jaffe RB. Regulation of human gonadotropins. III. Luteinizing 11. Male Infertility: Diagnosis and Medical Management 197 hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in sera from adult males. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1968; 28: 1473–1478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Sherins RJ, Loriaux DL. Studies on the role of sex steroids in the feedback control of FSH concentrations in man. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1973; 36: 886–893.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Stewart-Bentley M, Odell W, Horton R. The feedback control of luteinizing hormone in normal adult men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974; 38: 545–553.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Swerdloff RS, Odell WD. Some aspects of the control of secretion in LH and FSH in humans. In: Rosemberg E, ed. Gonadotropins. Los Altos: Geron-X, 1968: 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Schill WB. Recent progress in pharmacological therapy of male subfertility a review. Andrologia 1979; 11: 77–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Baker HWG. Male infertility of undetermined etiology. In: Krieger PT, Bardin W, eds. Current therapy in endocrinology. Philadelphia: BC Decker Inc., 1983: 366–371.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Giarola A. Effect of mesterolone in the spermatogenesis of infertile patients. In: Mancini RE, Martini E, eds. Male fertility and sterility. Proceedings of the Serono Symposia. New York: Academic Press, 1974: 479–495.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Brown JS. The effect of orally administered androgens on sperm motility. Fertil Steril 1975; 26: 305 - 308.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Keough EJ, Burger HG, De Kretser DM, Hudson B. Nonsurgical management of male infertility. In: Hafez ESE, ed. Human semen and fertility regulation in men. St. Louis: CV Mosby Co., 1976: 452–463.

    Google Scholar 

  73. de Kretser DM, Burger HG, Hudson B. Relationship between serum FSH levels and germinal cells in males with infertility. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974; 38: 787–793.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Means AR, Fakunding JL, Huckins C, Tindall DJ, Vitale R. Follicle-stimulating hormone, the Sertoli cell and spermatogenesis. Recent Prog Horm Res 1976; 32: 477–525.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Rosemberg E. Medical treatment of male infertility. Andrologia 1976; 8: 95–107.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Sherins RJ. Clinical aspects of treatment of male infertility with gonadotropins: testicular response of some men given hCG with and without pergonal. In: Mancini RE, Martini L, eds. Male fertility and sterility. New York: Academic Press, 1974: 545–565.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Troen P, Yanaihara T, Nankin H, Tominaga T, Lever H. Assessment of gonadotropin therapy in infertile males. In: Rosemberg E, Paulsen CA, eds. The human testis. New York: Plenum Press, 1970: 591.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Lunenfeld B, Mor A, Mani M. Treatment of male infertility: I. human gonadotropins. Fertil Steril 1967; 18: 581–592.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Margolieth EJ, Laufer N, Persistz E, Gaulayere B, Shemesh A, Schenker JG. Treatment of oligoasthenospermia with human chorionic gonadotropin: hormonal profiles and results. Fertil Steril 1983; 39: 841–844.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Shulman S, Harlin B, Daries P, Reyniak JV. Immune infertility and new approaches to treatment. Fertil Steril 1978; 29: 309–313.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Hendry WF, Stedronska J, Parslow J, Hughs L. The results of intermittent high dose steroid therapy for male infertility due to antisperm antibodies. Fertil Steril 1981; 36: 351–355.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Berger RE, Smith WD, Critchlow CW, et al. Improvement in the sperm penetration (hamster ova) assay (SPA) results after doxycycline treatment of infertile men. J Androl 1983; 4: 126–130.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Sherris JD, Fox G. Infertility and sexually transmitted disease: a public health challenge.Population Reports, Series L, July 1983, No. 4.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Rebecca Z. Sokol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ronald S. Swerdloff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, 8700 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA

    James Aiman M.D. (Associate Professor / Director) (Associate Professor / Director)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sokol, R.Z., Swerdloff, R.S. (1984). Male Infertility: Diagnosis and Medical Management. In: Aiman, J. (eds) Infertility. Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8265-2_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8265-2_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-8267-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-8265-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation