What is Male Fertility?

Male fertility is half of the equation when trying to conceive (TTC) and therefore it is equally as important as female fertility. Males contribute to or are responsible for a couple's infertility about 40% of the time, and since male fertility testing is simpler and less invasive than fertility testing in females, it is commonly recommended for fertility testing to begin with the man. Male infertility is the number one single cause of infertility among most couples and it is largely due to abnormal sperm. There are several problems with a man’s sperm that can affect his fertility, such as low sperm count, low sperm motility, and abnormal sperm shape. Some experts suggest that over half of all male infertility is due to a low sperm count. The most common one, low sperm count, is the one that is most often discussed, and with good reason. Some experts suggest that over half of all male infertility is due to a low sperm count.

However, there are other types of sperm problems that can interfere with pregnancy, including low sperm motility (movement) and abnormal sperm. Abnormal sperm can be caused by a number of factors but the most common are age and genetics. As a man ages, sperm tends to have a higher number of genetic abnormalities. It’s more likely for a man in his 50s to have a high number of abnormal sperm than it is for a man in his 20s, for example. Exposure to heavy metals, radiation, and even certain nutrients can also affect your sperm. These can cause a low sperm count, problems with motility as well as abnormal sperm. Abnormal sperm can also be caused by infection, fever, alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medical abnormalities like a varicocele or a congenital testicular defect.

Fertility Lab on a Chip Measures Sperm Health

Researchers at the University of Twente have developed a small chip to measure sperm health. The chip not only measures the number of sperm, but how motile the sperm are in the body. ... read more »

Better Sperm Due to Better Dieting Practices

When exploring the realms of male fertility, diet plays a crucial role in sperm mobility. A study highlighted at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) focused on two specific types of diets as they relate to better sperm. ... read more »

Harmful Effects of Junk Foods to Male Fertility

Eating junk food is one of the main reasons for rising obesity numbers. However, a new joint study conducted by American and Spanish experts showed that junk food can also affect the fertility of healthy young men. ... read more »

Dad’s Folic Acid Consumption May Be Vital To Baby’s Health

Gentlemen, please eat your greens. And cereal, fruits, and veggies. Your children's lives may depend on it. ... read more »

Occupational Causes of Decreased Male Fertility

There are occupational hazards that may lead to decreased male fertility, according to researchers from the University of Copenhagen, but research into these toxicants is inconsistent. ... read more »

Dad’s Biological Clock Just as Important as Mom’s

A major study that compared the psychiatric health and academicachievement of siblings gives strong support to the theory that dad'sbiological clock exists and may be just as important as mom's. ... read more »

Epididymitis and Reproductive Function

Epididymitis is the inflammation of the tube connecting the vas deferens and testicle. Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause inflammation and reduction in reproductive function. ... read more »

5 Things You Don’t Know About Your Penis

Do you think you know everything there is to know about your penis? I bet you've got a lot to learn about the male reproductive organ. Here are 5 more things. ... read more »

The Baby Dance Can Become A Drag For Guys Too

Be honest, men. 'Honey, I'm ovulating' isn't exactly the sexiest mating call in the animal kingdom. If you've been trying to conceive for a while, the whole process can get to be a bit mundane. ... read more »

Reliability of Semen Analysis in Young Males

Young men at risk for infertility can submit a semen sample before moving from pediatric care to adult care as results of semen analysis in adult years are similar to those in pediatric years, according to researchers from the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. ... read more »

SNPs in KIT and KITLG Genes Play a Role in Oligospermia

The signaling system between KIT and KITLG genes is important in sperm production, which means it could play an important role in infertility and impairment of sperm production. ... read more »

Nuts for Fertility

Most women know that good nutrition can increase fertilityt, but there's another half of the fertility equation that has to do with the male: 30 - 50%of infertility are attributed to sperm issues. ... read more »

Prenatal Exposures and Anti-Mullerian Hormone

A long list of studies has been published linking paternal and maternal habits prior to and during pregnancy with fetal and child health outcomes. Researchers recently published another study showing a link between pre-pregnancy habits and health to female offspring long-term health.  ... read more »

Absence of DNA-Organizing Protein Affects Male Fertility

A study conducted in 2007 revealed a protein, Chd5, re-organizes the DNA of a cell in a way that stops development of cancerous tumors. ... read more »

Adolescent Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy on Fertility

Based on a recent study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, adolescent boys treated surgically for varicocele have a good chance of fertility in reproductive years. ... read more »

Male Fertility Changes as You Age

Since the age couples are having children has risen and menopause eventually prevents conception and pregnancy, female fertility is typically the focus of this increase in parental age. ... read more »

"Family Jewels" Cooling Product Aids Fertility

Gentlemen, heat is your enemy. That's the message behind a new product said to enhance a man's fertility by cooling down the family jewelsto promote healthier sperm. ... read more »

Reproductive Breakthrough: Sperm Developed From Cells

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have developed normal sperm from mouse cells. The cells were extracted from the testicles of mice. ... read more »

Male Diseases Affecting Male Fertility

Researchers in the United States and Mexico recently completed a study on the impact of male diseases that cause various sperm-related issues that affect fertility. The study was published in the journal Current Opinions in Obstetrics and Gynecology. ... read more »

Proliferation Capacity of Human Sperm

Vitrification is a relatively new freezing method commonly used to preserve unfertilized eggs to preserve fertility. Vitrification, unlike other freezing methods, does not produce ice crystals on eggs. ... read more »

Do Raspberries Boost Fertility?

Two newspapers in the United Kingdom recently reported that eating raspberries could boost fertility; scientists now call these reports 'misleading.' ... read more »

Taste Receptors on Testicles Linked to Fertility

Sometimes the most well-laid scientific plans can take a surprising turn. That happened recently at Philadelphia's Monell Chemical Senses Center, where a team of researchers was experimenting on mice and their taste receptors. ... read more »

Critical Fertility Enzymes

A new discovery may shed light on the problem of human infertility. Whilst sperm differs in appearance and movement across different species, there are key enzymes, although few in number, essential for the promotion of quality sperm and sperm motility. ... read more »

Erectile Dysfunction Drug May Help Men Lose Weight

Sildenafil is promoted as a drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but that is not the only benefit users gain. According to a research study, the ED drug helps change white fat to brown fat, increasing the likelihood of weight loss. ... read more »

How to Improve His Fertility

Male infertility is the reason that almost half of couples seek infertility treatments. There are several things a man can do to improve his fertility. ... read more »

Male Fertility

Our quiz will help you improve your knowledge about male fertility ... read more »

Male Fertility Infertility Tests - Sperm Count Sperm Semen Analysis

Finding out about his fertility is the second most important thing to test when trying to get pregnant. ... read more »

Low Sperm Count

Can low sperm count be improved? One study says yes! ... read more »

The BabyMed Fertility University: Fertility 101

The BabyMed Fertility University was founded by Dr. Grunebaum and his BabyMed staff to teach you about fertility, getting pregnant, and how to improve your pregnancy chances and having a healthy baby. ... read more »

Men's Health Guide

Men's health is vital when trying to get pregnant. So many things can affect a man's fertility, and being in optimal shape is vital for men who are trying to conceive. ... read more »

Overheated Car May Reduce Male Fertility

Heated car seats can decrease sperm counts. ... read more »

Is It Safe To Consume Creatine When TTC?

My husband and I are into weight lifting. We usually take supplements like creatine and a protein drink. Is the creatine found in shakes safe when trying to conceive (TTC)? ... read more »

MAR Test

This condition is also known as 'sperm allergy.' The immune system of some men and women see sperm as a foreign invader, like a germ, and their bodies make antibodies to attack and destroy the sperm. ... read more »

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