Etiology of severe asthenozoospermia and fertility prognosis. A screening of 5216 semen analyses

Andrologia. 1991 Mar-Apr;23(2):115-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1991.tb02513.x.

Abstract

A review of n = 5216 semen analyses performed in our two Clinics from January 1986 to December 1989 allowed to identify n = 35 patients whose sperm had constantly very low motility (less than 5% progressive motile gametes in three subsequent analyses; necrozoospermia cases were excluded from this study). This apparently rare but severe anomaly was found to be associated not only with ultrastructural anomalies (n = 18), but also with positive seminal bacteriology (n = 8) or the presence of antisperm antibodies (n = 2). In eight cases the cause(s) for this constant asthenozoospermia remained obscure. The fertility potential of the men affected was followed-up and is discussed in relation to their anamnesis, physical exam and seminal characteristics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Infertility, Male / therapy
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Semen / microbiology
  • Sperm Motility*
  • Spermatozoa / abnormalities
  • Spermatozoa / immunology
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Autoantibodies