Causes of Impaired Spermatogenesis
Condition | Examples |
|---|---|
Endocrine disorders | Abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis Hypogonadism, sometimes related to obesity |
Genetic disorders | Gonadal dysgenesis Microdeletions of sections of the Y chromosome (in 10–15% of men with severely impaired spermatogenesis) |
Genitourinary disorders | Infections (eg, gonococcal or chlamydial urethritis) Injury Mumps orchitis Testicular atrophy Varicocele |
Heat | Exposure to excessive heat within the last 3 months Fever |
Medications or other substances* | Alcohol consumed in excessive amounts Anabolic steroids Androgens Antimalarial drugs Cannabis Corticosteroids Cotrimoxazole Estrogens Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (to treat prostate cancer) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Opioids |
Certain toxins | Heavy metals Pesticides Phthalates Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) |
* Other medications and other substances can be harmful, but those listed are more significant. | |