One of the major barriers in your parenthood journey can be infertility, which stems from various causes. In men, the problem is more common than you might think, and sometimes its cause can be deeply rooted in genetics. To be more specific, the genetic infertility causes in men mostly appear due to abnormal or low sperm production.
Hence, it is natural for men to seek expert advice or treatments for their condition from Endoworld. Moreover, any chromosome abnormality can greatly affect your newborn, which is why a proper understanding of the topic is necessary. In this article, we have presented a deeper insight into male infertility and genetics.
Understanding male infertility
Infertility is a barrier to pregnancy, as it is caused when a person is unable to contribute to pregnancy. Male infertility, in particular, is caused when the sperm is unable to fertilize the egg properly.
There are quite a few factors that lead to the problem, including lifestyle changes and genetics. Although the latter is not a common infertility cause in men, it certainly needs all the treatment and care to begin with. Usually, experts at Endoworld use semen analysis and a testicular biopsy to find out the root cause.
Keep in mind that, if a man with healthy sperm is unable to hop onto parenthood, there is a high chance for the woman to be infertile in that case.
Genetic Conditions that Affect Fertility
The following section explores all the genetic conditions that lead to infertility:
Klinefelter Syndrome
The Klinefelter syndrome is associated with a mismatch of chromosomes in males. Instead of acquiring the usual XY pair, a man can inherit an additional X chromosome (XXY).
Simply put, this syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality due to which males experience low testosterone levels and reduced sperm counts. However, it does not necessarily imply a complete halt to sperm production.
Hence, it is not the end of the ropes, as the sperm can still be frozen in a laboratory as an extension of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure of Endoworld.
Y-chromosome microdeletions
Appearing as one of the prominent infertility causes in males, this chromosomal effect entails tiny deletions of genes on the Y-chromosome. It leads to azoospermia, a condition in which sperm are lacking in semen. Microdeletion of this genetic data has quite a strong effect in the development of sperm cells.
It is worth noting that the condition might not be detected during a chromosome study. However, it can be identified via genetic counseling and thorough semen diagnosis at Endoworld
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis disorder is brought on specifically by the CFTR gene, which undergoes a mutation that alters the release of a protein that controls the transport of salt in cells. As a result, one can have excessive mucus in their lungs, followed by breathing difficulty and digestive problems.
Furthermore, CF directly affects the vas deferens, which blocks the transport of sperm to the ejaculatory ducts, causing male infertility. That said, men can still bear biological children with procedures like testicular sperm extraction paired with IVF at Endoworld.
46 XX Syndrome
A rare condition would be when a person is born with male genitalia while acquiring XX chromosomes, generally seen in females. Also known as 46 XX syndrome, its symptoms may vary from one person to another.
A person suffering from this disorder is likely to experience azoospermia and underdeveloped genitalia, resulting in an extremely low chance of having a biological baby.
Kartagener’s Syndrome
Kartagener’s syndrome, or primary ciliary dyskinesia, is a genetically transmitted disease that affects cilia found in the internal airways, causing recurrent respiratory inflammation and incorrect positioning of internal organs. It also serves as one of the infertility causes in males, as they are likely to suffer from severe asthenozoospermia, where sperm are produced with low motility.
Treatments for male infertility
The treatment for male infertility begins with a thorough diagnosis along with genetic counseling to determine the risk factor.
After the assessment, if it is found that you are unable to become a father, experts at Endoworld will recommend intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It is a treatment procedure in which sperm are directly injected into an egg. This lab process is a step towards IVF, often opted for as a remedy by couples unable to conceive.
Here is a list of other male infertility treatments provided by Endoworld:
- Fertility drugs: To increase sperm production and motility
- Hormone replacement therapy: Fixes hormonal problems.
- Antibiotics: To treat infections.
- Surgical treatment: Embolisation and venous ligation is used to treat varicocele.
- Treatment of hormonal problems: Hormone replacement therapy.
A pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is often opted for by couples to identify any abnormalities occurring in the embryos after their interaction with male sperm.
For more queries regarding your infertility problem, reach out to our professional doctors at Endoworld. We employ state-of-the-art technology to deliver high-quality treatment to help you bring home your bundle of joy.