Assessment of the infertile male. (11th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karavolos, Stamatios; Stewart, Jane; Evbuomwan, Isaac; McEleny, Kevin; Aird, Ian
• Is Part Of: Obstetrician & gynaecologist. Volume 15:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2013-01-11
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-4667.2012.00145.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2561

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="tog145-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="tog145-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Key content</title> <p> <list id="tog145-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Male factors alone account for up to 30% of subfertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Male infertility may be due to problems with sperm production or transport and also sexual dysfunction. The underlying cause in most cases is idiopathic.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Modifiable lifestyle factors can have an impact on male fertility, but medical treatments have a limited value in enhancing semen quality. Most treatments are based on assisted fertilisation techniques, rather than treatment of the underlying cause.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The number and quality of sperm that can be recovered, either from the ejaculate or surgically, determines the available options for assisted conception.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is considered relatively safe; however, because of the ability to bypass natural barriers to conception, there are concerns regarding its potential to transmit genetic defects.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="tog145-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Learning objectives</title> <p> <list id="tog145-list-0002" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>To review appropriate practice in the assessment and investigation of the infertile male.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>To critically appraise the currently available investigations for male fertility.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>To summarise the treatment options for subfertile men.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="tog145-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Ethical issues</title> <p> <list id="tog145-list-0003" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Does ICSI propagate genetic causes of male infertility?</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Could there ever be a role for the use of artificial sperm in assisted reproduction?</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> </abstract>