Post Date December, 02 2023
Sperm is produced by the testis and enters the epididymis for storage. After maturation, it passes through the seminal tract and, together with the seminal plasma, constitutes semen. The seminal tract includes the output tubules of the testis, the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the urethra.
Azospermia refers to the absence of "seeds" - traces of sperm after centrifugation and sedimentation of ejaculated semen. Where has the "seeds" gone?
There are two reasons for the absence of sperm in semen: first, there is no sperm production at all; The second is that even if there is spermatogenesis, if there is a "pipe blockage", it cannot be ejaculated with semen. Specifically, there are the following main reasons:
Testicular dysgenesis
"Congenital absence of testicles, undeveloped testicles, or testicular dysplasia, the more common of which is cryptorchidism. The testicles should enter the scrotum when a normal fetus is 8 months old. If they do not enter the scrotum, they are called cryptorchidism.". If bilateral cryptorchidism, especially high cryptorchidism, or one cryptorchidism and the other testicle also have lesions, azoospermia can occur.
Testicular infection
Bilateral orchitis, including viral mumps accompanied by bilateral orchitis, especially pre pubertal infections leading to azoospermia.
Testicular blood circulation disorder
Such as surgery, trauma, and inflammation of the scrotum and inguinal region, which can cause testicular blood supply disorders and lower testicular spermatogenic function.
Long-term radiation exposure can damage the convoluted seminiferous tubules and cause testicular atrophy. According to statistics, azoospermia can occur after 7 weeks after a single exposure of 100 to 600 rads; After stopping irradiation, sperm began to recover after 5 months.
Drugs and Chemicals
Long-term use or excessive dosage of certain drugs can affect the spermatogenic effect of the testis, such as Malilan (Baixiaoan), which is used to treat chronic myelocytic leukemia; Phenylbutyric acid nitrogen mustard (Liukelan) for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease; Cyclophosphamide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, and glomerulonephritis (Andersen); Colchicine (colchicine) for the treatment of gout; Phentoin sodium (Dalantine) for the treatment of epilepsy. Chronic alcoholism, as well as long-term exposure to chemicals such as arsenic, aluminum, benzene, and amines, can affect testicular spermatogenesis.
Varicocele
This disease can cause local testicular temperature increases, testicular venous reflux disorders, reduce testicular oxygen supply, and hinder the excretion of toxic substances, inhibit testicular endocrine function, interfere with normal testicular metabolism, ultimately leading to testicular spermatogenesis disorders.
Vascular obstruction
Normal testicular spermatogenesis is a prerequisite; However, this condition alone is not enough, and it also requires "unobstructed pipelines".
