Male Infertility News: January 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

DAILY SEX INCREASES SPERM COUNTS

DAILY SEX INCREASES SPERM COUNTS!

For men with fertility problems, some doctors are prescribing a very conventional way to have a baby: more sex.

In a study of 118 Australian men with damaged sperm, doctors found that having sex every day for a week significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage in their patients' sperm. Previous studies have linked better sperm quality to higher pregnancy rates.

Dr. David Greening of Sydney IVF, a private fertility clinic inAustralia, and colleagues looked at 118 men who had damaged sperm. Greening and colleagues told the men to have sex every day for a week. After seven days, the doctors found that in 81 percent of the men, there was a 12 percent decrease in the amount of damaged sperm.

Many fertility experts suggest men abstain from sex before their partners have in-vitro fertilization, to try to elevate their sperm counts. Boy are they wrong.

Sperm quality can also be improved if men don't smoke, drink moderately, exercise, or get more antioxidants.

Greening now instructs all couples seeking fertility advice to start by having more sex. "Some of the older men look a little concerned," he said. "But the younger ones seem quite happy about it."

Experts think sex helps reduce the DNA damage in sperm by getting it out of the body quickly; if sperm is in the body for too long, it has a higher chance of getting damaged.

Greening said he and his colleagues are still analyzing the study data to determine how many women got pregnant. "Looking at sperm DNA is just one part of the puzzle," said Bill Ledger, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Sheffield, who was not connected to the research. "Maybe this will improve pregnancy rates, but we still need to do more studies."

Couples shouldn't feel pressured to adjust their sex lives just for the sake of having a baby. But Greening said the study's findings were ultimately very intuitive. "If you want to have a baby, our advice is to do it often."

For more information on increasing sperm counts visit the
Proceptin website at:
www.Proceptin.com

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http://male-fertility-news.blogspot.com/2010/01/daily-sex-boosts-sperm.html

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New Fertiliy Directory Website Helps Patients Find Doctors

The National Fertility Directory AtoZfertility.com recently went online and began a new directory service that helps match patients up with fertility centers and doctors.

The new online website was built to provide patients with up to date information and resources on fertility issues.

Visitors who come to the website can get information on:

What is IVF?

Does IVF require major surgery?

Is IVF a complicated process?

What is NEST?

Is GIFT a better fertility treatment?

What are ZIFT and TET?

What steps must be done before IVF, GIFT, or ZIFT?

Are there treatments for the woman who has had repeated miscarriages or failed IVF?

What is micromanipulation?

Why use an egg donor?

Can something be done with the extra eggs obtained from egg retrieval after stimulation of the ovaries?

What are the chances of success?

What is embryo cryopreservation?

Why is egg donation and surrogacy necessary?

What causes Pelvic Pain?

What is Laser Laparoscopy?

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Can We Select the Sex of Our Baby?

The website also provides a fertility test, fertlity financing information, a free fertility newsletter and many more online resources.

For more information visit www.AtoZfertility.com.

Using the National Fertility Directory

Proceptin Increases Male Fertlity

Proceptin Increases Male Fertlity

During initial sperm production stages, harmful oxidative stress on the tissues and organs responsible for reproductive function is a result of the sperm's free radicals. Molecules that contain at least one unpaired electron are referred to as free radicals. The robbing of electrons by free radicals can disrupt normal cellular processes and cause cellular damage in the form of oxidative stress.

The use of nutritional supplements, such as Proceptin®, with the proper antioxidants may reduce the adverse effects of oxidative stress on reproductive tissue and organs, and potentially improve sperm function.

Proceptin is the first physician-formulated preparation. It has been formulated to provide many of the nutrients which have been shown to support successful male reproductive function. It has been developed as a result of over 60 research studies addressing the role of antioxidants, and amino acid precursors in male reproductive function.

Proceptin is the only product of its kind containing the potent antioxidant Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol as well has been proven to improve parameters on semen analysis. Additionally it contains high doses of carnitine, CoQ-10, selenium & zinc, vitamins C, E, and B complex. Proceptin is recommend for men, when couples are trying to have a baby.

Proceptin is a nutritional supplement that does not contain any herbs or preservatives. Each component in Proceptin has been verfiied in clinical studies published in leading medical journals.

A study by Sagayan & Associates showed that a course of antioxidant therapy significantly decreased sperm DNA fragmentation by over 10% in men with a abnormal DFI > 30%. This study entitled Effects of Antioxidant Treatment on DNA Fragmentation Index was presented at the October 2004 annual meeting of ASRM and published in abstract form in Fertility and Sterility. The antioxidants and metabolic co-factors in Proceptin have individually been shown to improve one or more sperm parameters.

For more information on Proceptin visit
www.proceptin.com

Monday, January 18, 2010

Understanding Sperm, The Sperm Cycle and the Sperm Cell

Understanding Sperm, The Sperm Cycle and the Sperm Cell

Spermatozoa comprise a unique group of cells in a man's body. Their job is to carry the genes of the male to the egg of the female. After penetrating the egg, the genes in the cell combine with those of the female. This creates the embryo that over a nine month period will develop into a child.

Sperm are constantly being created within the man's reproductive system and are susceptible to oxidative stress, environmental toxins and metabolic injuries. There are clear benefits to using a product that provides nutritional support for sperm function. Proceptin is a proprietary product that contains co-factors for cellular metabolism, as well as fat-soluble and water-soluble anti-oxidants which support sperm count, motility and morphology.

About The Sperm Cycle

Sperm Cycle

Old sperm cells die off and new cells are created at a rate of about one percent each day. This means the entire sperm cycle requires approximately 100 days. The final 75 days represent a period of maturation for the sperm cell. This final step of sperm maturation, called "spermiogenesis", puts the fuel into the tank and completes the development of the sperm cell (spermatozoon).

During this 75 day period of maturation, sperm require large amounts of energy to fuel the mid-portion of the cell. Cells that consume large amounts of energy often generate many free radicals. Here, these free radicals represent a form of oxidative stress on the tissues and organs responsible for the reproductive function in the male. Thus it is useful to use dietary supplements with the proper antioxidants and metabolic co-factors that may help to reduce these stresses.

Proceptin is a proprietary formulation of nutritional supplements of fat and water soluble antioxidants, amino acid precursors and co-factors related to intermediary metabolism.It has the ability to provide these nutrients required to support successful male reproductive function.

The Sperm Cell

Spermatozoa are a unique specialization of cells in men. A good way to describe a sperm cell is to think of it as an Apollo space shuttle, as each is comprised of three essential components; capsule, fuel tank, and propulsion unit.

The main function of the sperm is to carry the 18,000 male genes to the female’s egg, just as the Apollo capsule carries the astronauts on their mission. These genes represent the male's contribution to the DNA make-up of the hoped-for baby. The capsule also has a unique surface feature in its membrane which allows it to burrow through the shell of the woman's egg. Using the enzymes that are built into its surface, the sperm cell digests its way through the outer eggshell called the zona pellucida. The sperm cell is then able to enter into the main part of the egg, the ooplasm, achieving successful fertilization.

The second component of the sperm cell is the energy source. Think of this as the rocket's fuel tank, its sole purpose is to convert nutrients into energy. Without this the propulsion system would not have the energy to take the cell up the female genital track.

The third and final component of the sperm cell is the propulsion system. It is the whip-like structure of the sperm tail. It serves the important function of propelling the sperm cell forward with a snake-like motion. It is critical that sperm move forward and not laterally or in circles. The failure of sperm to move forward is described as an abnormality of sperm motility.

More about understanding sperm and sperm counts click here

Causes of Male Infertility

The human reproductive process is complex. To become pregnant, the intricate processes of ovulation and fertilization need to work just right.

■Each month the pituitary gland in a woman's brain sends a signal to her ovaries to prepare an egg for ovulation.

■The pituitary hormones — follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — stimulate the ovaries to release an egg. This is called ovulation. It is during this time that a woman is fertile (usually about day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle).

■The egg travels through the fallopian tube and can be fertilized within about 24 hours after its release. Conception is more likely to occur when intercourse takes place one to two days prior to ovulation.

■For pregnancy to occur, a sperm must unite with the egg in the fallopian tube during this time. Sperm are capable of fertilizing the egg for up to 72 hours and must be present in the fallopian tube at the same time as the egg for conception to occur. In order for a sperm to reach an egg, the man must have an erection and ejaculate enough semen to deliver the sperm into the vagina. There must be enough sperm, and it must be the right shape and move in the right way. In addition, the woman must have a healthy vaginal and uterine environment so that the sperm can travel to the egg.

■If fertilized, the egg moves into the uterus where it attaches to the uterine lining and begins a nine-month process of growth.

For some couples attempting pregnancy, something goes wrong in this complex process, resulting in infertility. The cause or causes of infertility can involve one or both partners:

■In about 20 percent of cases, infertility is due to a cause involving only the male partner.

■In about 30 to 40 percent of cases, infertility is due to causes involving both the male and female.

■In the remaining 40 to 50 percent of cases, infertility is due entirely to a cause involving the female.

Causes of male infertility

A number of things can cause impaired sperm count or mobility, or impaired ability to fertilize the egg. The most common causes of male infertility include abnormal sperm production or function, impaired delivery of sperm, general health and lifestyle issues, and overexposure to certain environmental elements.

Impaired production or function of sperm. Most cases of male infertility are due to problems with the sperm, such as:

■Impaired shape and movement of sperm. Sperm must be properly shaped and able to move rapidly and accurately toward the egg for fertilization to occur. If the shape and structure (morphology) of the sperm are abnormal or the movement (motility) is impaired, sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate the egg.

■Low sperm concentration. A normal sperm concentration is greater than or equal to 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. A count of 10 million or fewer sperm per milliliter of semen indicates low sperm concentration (subfertility). A count of 40 million sperm or higher per milliliter of semen indicates increased fertility. Complete failure of the testicles to produce sperm is rare.

■Varicocele. A varicocele is a varicose vein in the scrotum that may prevent normal cooling of the testicle, leading to reduced sperm count and motility.

■Undescended testicle. Undescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Because the testicles are exposed to the higher internal body temperature, compared with the temperature in the scrotum, sperm production may be affected.

■Testosterone deficiency (male hypogonadism). Infertility can result from disorders of the testicles themselves or from an abnormality affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain that produces the hormones that control the testicles.

■Genetic defects. In the genetic defect Klinefelter's syndrome, a man has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y. This causes abnormal development of the testicles, resulting in low or absent sperm production and possibly low testosterone.

■Infections. Infection may temporarily affect sperm motility. Repeated bouts of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are most often associated with male infertility. These infections can cause scarring and block sperm passage. If mumps, a viral infection usually affecting young children, occurs after puberty, inflammation of the testicles can impair sperm production. Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), urethra or epididymis also may alter sperm motility.

In many instances, no cause for reduced sperm production is found. When sperm concentration is less than 5 million per milliliter of semen, genetic causes could be involved. Genetic testing can reveal whether there are subtle changes in the Y chromosome.

Impaired delivery of sperm. Problems with the delivery of sperm from the penis into the vagina can result in infertility. These may include:

■Sexual issues. Often treatable, problems with sexual intercourse or technique may affect fertility. Difficulties with erection of the penis (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), or psychological or relationship problems can contribute to infertility. Use of lubricants such as oils or petroleum jelly can be toxic to sperm and impair fertility.

■Retrograde ejaculation. This occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm rather than emerging out through the penis. Various conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, bladder, prostate or urethral surgery, and the use of certain medications.

■Blockage of epididymis or ejaculatory ducts. Some men are born with blockage of the part of the testicle that contains sperm (epididymis) or ejaculatory ducts. Some men lack the tube that carries sperm (vas deferens) from the testicle out to the opening in the penis.

■No semen (ejaculate). The absence of ejaculate may occur in men with spinal cord injuries or diseases. This fluid carries the sperm from the penis into the vagina.

■Misplaced urinary opening (hypospadias). A birth defect can cause the urinary (urethral) opening to be abnormally located on the underside of the penis. If not surgically corrected, this condition can prevent sperm from reaching the woman's cervix.

■Anti-sperm antibodies. Antibodies that target sperm and weaken or disable them usually occur after surgical blockage of part of the vas deferens for male sterilization (vasectomy). Presence of these antibodies may complicate the reversal of a vasectomy.

■Cystic fibrosis. Men with cystic fibrosis often have a missing or obstructed vas deferens.

General health and lifestyle. A man's general health and lifestyle may affect fertility. Some common causes of infertility related to health and lifestyle include:

■Emotional stress. Stress may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Your sperm count may be affected if you experience excessive or prolonged emotional stress. A problem with fertility itself can sometimes become long term and discouraging, producing more stress.

■Malnutrition. Deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc and folate may contribute to infertility.

■Obesity. Increased body mass may be associated with fertility problems in men.

■Cancer and its treatment. Both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. The closer radiation treatment is to the testicles, the higher the risk of infertility. Removal of one or both testicles due to cancer also may affect male fertility.

■Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol or drug dependency can be associated with poor health and reduced fertility. The use of certain drugs also can contribute to infertility. Anabolic steroids, for example, which are taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth, can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease.

■Other medical conditions. A severe injury or major surgery can affect male fertility. Certain diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing's syndrome, or anemia may be associated with infertility.

■Age. Men older than age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.

Environmental exposure. Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm count either directly by affecting testicular function or indirectly by altering the male hormonal system. Specific causes include:

■Pesticides and other chemicals. Herbicides and insecticides may cause female hormone-like effects in the male body and may be associated with reduced sperm production and testicular cancer. Lead exposure may also cause infertility.

■Overheating the testicles. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs can elevate your core body temperature. This may impair your sperm production and lower your sperm count.

■Substance abuse. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm.

■Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke.

Causes of female infertility

The most common causes of female infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, elevated prolactin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, benign uterine fibroids and pelvic adhesions.

■Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Fallopian tube damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most frequent cause. Tubal inflammation may go unnoticed or may cause pain and fever. Tubal damage may result in a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg is unable to make its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). One episode of tubal infection may cause fertility difficulties. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases with each occurrence of tubal infection.

■Endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. These implants respond to the hormonal cycle and grow, shed and bleed in sync with the lining of the uterus each month, which can lead to scarring and inflammation. Pelvic pain and infertility are common in women with endometriosis.

■Ovulation disorders. Some cases of female infertility are caused by ovulation disorders. Disruption in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation can cause low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Even slight irregularities in the hormone system can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs (anovulation). Specific causes of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders that can result in anovulation include injury, tumors, excessive exercise and starvation. In addition, some medications can be associated with ovulation disorders.

■Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia). The hormone prolactin stimulates breast milk production. High levels in women who aren't pregnant or nursing may affect ovulation. An elevation in prolactin levels may also indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor. In addition, some drugs can elevate levels of prolactin. Milk flow not related to pregnancy or nursing can be a sign of high prolactin.

■Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In PCOS, your body produces too much androgen hormone, which affects ovulation. PCOS is also associated with insulin resistance and obesity.

■Early menopause (premature ovarian failure). Early menopause is the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles before age 40. Although the cause is often unknown, certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking.

■Uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30s and 40s. Rarely, they may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. More often, fibroids interfere with proper implantation of the fertilized egg.

■Pelvic adhesions. Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scar tissue formation may impair fertility.

Other causes in women

■Medications. Temporary infertility may occur with the use of certain medications. In most cases, fertility is restored when the medication is stopped.

■Thyroid problems. Disorders of the thyroid gland, either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism), can interrupt the menstrual cycle and cause infertility.

■Cancer and its treatment. Certain cancers — particularly female reproductive cancers — often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect a woman's ability to reproduce. Chemotherapy may impair reproductive function and fertility in men and women.

■Other medical conditions. Medical conditions associated with delayed puberty or amenorrhea, such as Cushing's disease, sickle cell disease, kidney disease and diabetes, can affect a woman's fertility.

■Caffeine intake. Excessive caffeine consumption can reduce fertility in women.

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Infertility in Men

Infertility In Men

In the past it was considered necessary to address the reproductive function of a man only if his sperm count was found to be low. However, It is now known that count is not the only factor in impaired fertility cases, motility and morphology also play a major role in a man’s ability to fertilize.

A man with fewer than 5 million sperm per milliliter of semen is often infertile. A sperm count below 20 million is considered low. In these cases the men might be sub-fertile or infertile. However, it should be understood that a man can be sub-fertile even if he has a normal sperm count of between 20 and 250 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

The sperm’s ability to move is referred to as motility. The most successful sperm are those that are able to move forwards rapidly. Rapid motion forward is defined as a sperm that is able to travel at least half its length in one second. Often times, sperm are found to lack this essential aspect of motility and they end up swimming slowly or in the wrong direction, some even swim in circles. The sperm’s ability to move correctly is directly linked to its shape.

These are some of the statistics and reasons for infertility in men.

Proceptin is a male fertility supplement that can increase sperm counts.

Visit www.proceptin.com for more information

For more information on Infertility in Men visit the following links
http://www.proceptin.com/phc/infertility-male.php

Enhancing Male Fertility

Listed below are a number of useful resources to gain further understanding of male and female infertility.

Enhancing Male Fertility

Listed below are a number of useful resources to gain further understanding of male and female infertility.

FertilityDirectory.org

The Worlds Leading Resource for Infertility

PubMed.com

The National Library of Medicine

EliteAlternatives.net

Elite Alternatives offer the highest quality natural products available on-line.

Resolve.org

The National Infertility Organization provides information, advocacy and support worldwide

Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine

A leading institution for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery

Male Infertility MDs

A guide to the nation's top surgeons, and what to know before you go there