For generations, who carried the unspoken weight when a couple faced difficulties conceiving? Historically, misconceptions often placed the focus solely on women, overshadowing the crucial role of male fertility. However, because of scientific advancement and better comprehension of reproductive biology, beliefs have changed. Since a large number of genes are involved in the production and transportation of healthy sperm, diagnosing male infertility based only on genetic abnormalities is challenging.
Infertility researchers are also discovering new genetic flaws that cause male infertility. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), has shaped the path to parenting for infertile males. Gaining knowledge of the science underlying sperm quality and how IVF can bring about a resurgence of consciousness and optimism.
We spoke to Dr Nishi Singh, Head of Fertility, PRIME IVF, Gurugram, Haryana, who explained the science behind sperm health and the renewed hope available today.
According to the Central European Journal of Urology, over 186 million individuals globally struggle with infertility, with approximately 8-12% of couples of reproductive age being affected. Men are responsible for 20–30% of infertility cases, yet they contribute to 50% of all cases when considered collectively.
Factors Influencing Sperm Health
“Sperm quality is not something that can just be measured in numbers. Three aspects determine it: sperm count, motility, and morphology. The integrity of sperm in the genome is of more significance than anything else to fertility and embryogenesis. It can also be affected by lifestyle, age, environmental exposure to toxins, stress, and medical conditions like varicocele or hormonal disorders,” said Dr Singh.
Semen analysis is mostly the first step in determining male fertility, but newer tests, such as DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) tests, are more prevalent these days. They enable practitioners to have a clearer picture of sperm viability, making them better equipped to provide customised IVF solutions.
Also Read: Semen And Sperm Are Not The Same: Here’s What You Need To Know
Advanced Fertility Treatments for Male Infertility
During natural conception, a large number of sperm compete to fertilise the egg, and when sperm quality is poor, the chances of infertility increase. However, with IVF, you can overcome this, as even sperm with moderate or low defects can be fertilised more easily.
For this Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures are highly effective in which a healthy sperm is injected into the egg to improve the chances of successful fertilisation, regardless of sperm count or motility being affected.
“When sperm are absent from the semen because of obstruction or disease like azoospermia, sperm retrieval procedures, such as TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) or PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) can consider IVF an option,” added Dr Singh.
Impact of Sperm Health on Fertilisation and Implantation
Despite all the challenges IVF and ICSI overcome, the quality of the sperm will also affect the embryo's development and the outcome of the pregnancy. Low-quality DNA can lead to implantation failure, early miscarriage, or developmental defects; pre-treatment optimisation of sperm is hence crucial.
All these antioxidant treatments, lifestyle adjustments (smoking cessation, alcohol control, weight management), and regulation of chronic medical conditions can also improve the quality of sperm to a significant extent. Even fertility clinics make use of sperm selection procedures like Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) or microfluidics to select the healthiest sperm for fertilisation.
Also Read: What Is A Semen Analysis? Expert Shares When Do Men Need It!
Redefining Masculinity Through Fertility Awareness
Today, men contribute to collaborative efforts, testing, therapy, and decision-making with their partners, tackling fertility as a shared experience.
“The path to infertility is not only physically exhausting but emotionally exhausting as well, but science offers real hope. With personalised IVF cycles, state-of-the-art sperm selection, and integrated methods for male reproductive health, parenthood has never been easier to achieve, despite male infertility,” concluded Dr Singh.
Male infertility is no longer a limitation with continued advancements in the uncovering of sperm biology and embryogenesis, reproductive medicine is becoming brighter for the future.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]