Azoospermia

Classification according to ICD-10
N46	Sterility in Men - Azoospermia NOS
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

Azoospermia (from ancient Greek zoon for "living beings" and σπέρμα , spérma , "germ", "seed", from the verb σπείρειν, speírein "sow") is the medical term for the complete absence of seminal maturation cells and sperm cells in the ejaculate . An effusion triggered by an orgasm consists solely of secretions from the accessory sex glands ( seminal plasma ).

causes

Prepubescent

Since in some boys, even before puberty, the prostate in particular can be able to form a secretion from the accessory sex glands when stimulated accordingly , it is quite possible for these adolescents to have an orgasm one or more years before puberty - albeit very little - excretion ( ejaculation ) of predominantly prostate secretion can take place. Since no sperm are formed at this point in time, such an effusion can also be referred to as azoospermia.

Post-puberty

After puberty, during which sperm formation normally begins ( Spermarche ), azoospermia can be caused in various ways.

Genetic azoospermia

Azoospermia can arise as a result of a genetic defect in the Y-arm in the so-called azoospermia factor gene. Another cause can be combinations of certain mutations in the CFTR gene , which trigger either the hereditary disease cystic fibrosis or its mild variant CBAVD , which are mostly associated with azoospermia.

Acquired azoospermia

Clinically, the following forms of azoospermia are distinguished:

Location of the spermatic duct and ejaculatory duct

Obstructive azoospermia

In obstructive azoospermia, the cause can be a blockage ( obstruction ) in the spermatic ducts between the epididymis and the seminal vesicle . An intentional transection of the vas deferens during sterilization can also be counted as part of this form.

The bilateral closure of the ejaculatory duct is also a cause of obstructive azoospermia. In contrast to the closure of the spermatic duct , the volume of the ejaculate is significantly reduced.

Non-obstructive azoospermia

In this form of azoospermia, spermatogenesis is disturbed so that no sperm are formed. The cause may be, for example, a degeneration of the seminiferous tubules ( seminiferous tubules ) or hyperprolactinemia be.

The consequence of a genetically determined as well as an acquired azoospermia is male infertility .

literature

• Walter Krause, Carl-Friedrich Rothauge: Andrology. Diseases of the male genital organs. 2nd completely revised edition, Enke, Stuttgart 1991, ISBN 3-432-91902-6 .
• Eberhard Nieschlag, Hermann M Behre u. a .: Andrology. Basics and Clinic of Male Reproductive Health Springer, Berlin / New York a. a. 1996, ISBN 3-540-60886-9 .
• Wolf-Hartmut Weiske: Infertility in men. Diagnostics and therapy. Thieme, Stuttgart a. a. 1994, ISBN 3-13-133101-1 .

Individual evidence

1. ^ Azoospermia - Introduction (W. Weidner, Andrology Working Group of the German Society for Urology) ( Memento from October 11, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
2. ↑ Growing Up Sexually - The Sexual Curriculum (Oct., 2002): Chapter 16: Prespermarchic Ejaculation? On "Prostatarche". From: sexarchive.info , last accessed on November 6, 2014.
3. ↑ Harry Cuppens, Jean-Jacques Cassiman: CFTR mutations and polymorphism in male infertility. In: International journal of andrology. Volume 27, No. 5, 2004, review, pp. 251-256 doi : 10.1111 / j.1365-2605.2004.00485.x

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !