Infertility in Male and Female Notes

Infertility Definition

Infertility is the inability to produce the offspring lr females, it is the inability to conceive a child by n.i! process or inability to carry pregnancy till the com; of the term. Infertility occurs due to various factors such as an immature reproductive system, defective reproductive system, endocrine disorders, etc.

Infertility In Males

Causes For Infertility In Males

1. Decreased sperm count: It is known as oligozo- ospermia. The normal sperm count in a male is about 100-150 million/mL of semen. Infertility occurs when the sperm count decreases below 20 million/mL 2. of semen.
   • The sperm count decreases because of disruption of seminiferous tubules or acute infection in the testis. In some males, there is the possibility of sterility (permanent inability to produce offspring) because of the absence of spermatogenesis as in the case of cryptorchidism or underdeveloped testis.
2. Abnormal sperm: Sometimes, the sperm count may be normal but the structure of the sperm may be abnormal. The sperms may be without a tail and ‘ nonmotile or with two heads or with an abnormal head. When a large number of abnormal sperms are produced infertility occurs.
3. Obstruction of reproductive ducts: The obstruction of reproductive ducts like vas deferens also leads to infertility.
4. Other conditions: Cryptorchidism, trauma, mumps, long-term use of drugs, alcoholism, genetic causes and disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and

Read And Learn More: Medical Physiology Notes

Infertility In Females

Cases For Infertility In Females

1. Abnormalities of the ovary: Sometimes, a thick capsule .. around the ovaries. It prevents ovulation. In women, ovaries develop cysts (membranous sacs containing fluid) or become fibrotic (hardened tissues resulting from lymphedema). In these conditions, maturation, and release of the ovum do not occur.
2. Abnormalities of the uterus: A type of endometrial tissue similar to uterine endometrium grows in the pelvic cavity surrounding the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is called endometriosis. And, pregnancy does not occur in this condition.
   • In some cases, there is a low-grade infection or inflammation, or abnormal hormonal stimulation in the cervix. It lends to the abnormal secretion of thick mucus in the cervix which prevents the entry of sperm and fertilization of the ovum
3. Absence of ovulation: Ovulation does not occur in some females, because of hyposecretion of gonadotropic hormones. The quantities of these hormones are not sufficient enough to cause maturation of the ovum or release of the ovum, The cycle without ovulation is known as anovulatory cycle.
4. Diseases: Diseases like diabetes mellitus, disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid and adrenal glands, liver, and renal diseases result in infertility,