MANday: Azoospermia (Zero Sperm Count): The Y Factor Can Take You from Zero to Hero!
Azoospermia is defined as having no sperm in the semen sample. Being told you have zero sperm is the most distressing and surprising finding from a man’s semen analysis! Nothing hits a young healthy, no-symptom man harder than to be told he has zero sperm in his ejaculate! The Y Factor is the premier expert in this condition and has been successful at achieving pregnancy!
Here is why it is important to see The Y Factor:
Diagnosing the problem-
- The diagnosis of azoospermia (zero sperm count) is established when no sperm are detected in at least two separate centrifuged semen samples.
- Azoospermia may be either due to obstruction or spermatogenic failure (factories are not producing sperm).
- Genetic mutations are important causes of azoospermia in that they can cause genital duct obstruction and poor sperm production from the factories
The Y Factor approach-
- Our minimum initial evaluation of azoospermic men includes a complete medical history, physical examination, and measurements of serum total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as appropriate genetic testing.
- Men with a problem in sperm production will be offered genetic testing to exclude chromosomal abnormalities and Y Factor gene deletions (missing genetic code).
- Azoospermic (zero sperm count) men with a poorly functioning testicles and hormone imbalance will be evaluated for pituitary aging to exclude pituitary (body’s organ that controls the testicle’s function) disease.
- A man with missing sperm ducts will be assumed to harbor a CFTR gene mutation and genetic testing will be offered to the female partner.
- These couples will be also be offered genetics counseling even if the female partner tests negative.
- In azoospermic men with low ejaculate volume and normal examination, a prostate ultrasound with or without aspiration may be used to identify an obstructed ejaculatory duct.
The Treatment-
- We take you through these above steps and either restore sperm into the ejaculate or we get sperm from the testicle.
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The keystone in being successful in approaching this difficult problem is the quality of the initial evaluation and correct diagnosis that leads to certain options for treatment. Only those options for treatment that can be associated with a significant improvement in producing sperm are undertaken.
- Russel H. Williams, MD an experienced micro-surgeon has over 20 years of experience in finding sperm in the testicle.
Hope and Success-
- The Y Factor see thousands of men with this distressing condition.
- As the premier center for advanced fertility problems, we determine the underlying cause of the azoospermia (zero sperm count) and establish the next step towards pregnancy.
Reference: ASRM (2018). Evaluation of the azoospermic male: a committee opinion. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 109(5), 777-782.
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