Post Date December, 03 2023
There are various causes of male infertility, but the main ones are semen problems and other diseases. Below, the editor will provide a specific introduction.
1、 Semen or sperm problems
1. Changes in semen acidity and alkalinity
The pH of normal semen ranges from 2 to 8, and sperm survive well and move freely at this pH. In chronic prostatitis, the acidic substances in the seminal plasma will increase, leading to a decrease in acidity and alkalinity. The seminal plasma tends to be acidic. When the acidity and alkalinity decrease to the minimum pH value required for sperm survival * 0-* 5, sperm will die prematurely, which is not conducive to the normal reproductive process; The white blood cells in prostatic fluid will also increase the pH value of prostatic fluid, and therefore change the pH of seminal plasma, which is not conducive to the survival of sperm.
2. Increased semen viscosity and abnormal semen liquefaction
When the prostate has chronic inflammation, the activity or secretion of a large number of liquefaction enzymes in prostatic fluid decreases, coagulation factors increase relatively, and seminal plasma may contain bacteria, a large number of white blood cells, or even a large amount of pus, making semen difficult to liquefy, and semen viscosity will also increase significantly, which is detrimental to normal sperm activity.
3. Changes in semen composition
Seminal plasma contains a certain amount of nutrients to support sperm and assist in sperm motility. In chronic prostatitis, there may be some bacteria and inflammatory cells mixed in the seminal plasma, and lactic acid substances may also increase. Bacterial toxins and metabolites are also excreted in the seminal plasma. The survival of bacteria and inflammatory cells also consume a large amount of nutrients and oxygen, making the living environment of sperm extremely harsh, and therefore unable to fully exert their fertility.
4. Changes in sperm density and semen volume
Healthy men ejaculate between 2-6ml per ejaculation, and since the volume of sperm is extremely small, the amount of semen is basically equal to the amount of seminal plasma. When inflammation occurs in the prostate, a decrease in the secretion of seminal plasma is not conducive to the survival and activity of sperm; On the other hand, the amount of seminal plasma can sometimes increase, leading to a decrease in sperm density and dilution, which can also affect fertility.
2、 Caused by other diseases
1. Changes in the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis
Chronic prostate patients, especially those who have not recovered for a long time, often experience symptoms of the mental nervous system. The patient may have mental and psychological problems and changes in personality characteristics. The patient may have insomnia, dreaminess, dizziness, memory loss, inattention, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can lead to changes in the hypothalamus pituitary gonad axis, and can cause an increase in apoptotic mortality of germ cell and sperm, which can significantly affect fertility.
2. Sexual dysfunction
Some patients often exhibit sexual psychological abnormalities, accompanied by decreased libido and decreased sexual function, resulting in a significant decrease in sexual excitement or activity. Some patients may experience varying degrees of painful erectile and ejaculatory pain, frequent ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, etc., thus affecting fertility.
(Intern Editor: Cai Junyi)
