You may not choose to become a father at age 77, like actor Tony Randall. But from a strictly biological perspective, it is within the realm of possibility. Most men produce sperm for their entire lives, according to Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, the director of the Male Infertility Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and a professor at Harvard Medical School.
The male reproductive system is relatively simple; as a result, it generally functions quite efficiently. Sperm are produced in the testicles and stored within the scrotum in a "sack" called the epididymis. During erection, but before ejaculation occurs, the sperm travel from the epididymis to the vas deferens (the tube that is severed in a vasectomy ). The sperm is then propelled to the urethra where they mix with other fluids to form semen, which is ejaculated through the tip of the penis. For sperm, this journey is equivalent to a marathon, says Dr. Morgentaler, but in reality, it takes just 2-5 seconds!
Certain medical conditions can interfere with the proper functioning of the reproductive process. They include:
The average male produces 60-100 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen. Low sperm counts are not considered a problem until they get as low as 20 million per ml, which is diagnosed as oligospermia. That may still sound like an enormous number, but statistics show that it is more difficult for couples to conceive at this level.
Conception is difficult at low sperm levels, because even at full count, only a fraction of sperm survive the difficult journey from the vagina through the uterus to the fallopian tubes, where conception takes place. The sperm must be strong swimmers. A man can have a low sperm count but still successfully conceive if his sperm have good motility.
Semen analysis can tell you the quantity and quality of your sperm. If your sperm count is critically low, a drug called clomiphene citrate, which stimulates testosterone production, can sometimes boost sperm creation.
The key to maintaining healthy fertility, according to Dr. Morgentaler, is prevention. There are no magic potions or vitamins that boost fertility. "Men do just fine with their fertility," says Dr. Morgentaler, without any special concessions.
The temperature of the testicles is one of the most significant factors in fertility. Testicles don't produce sperm well at high temperatures. That's why nature, in its infinite wisdom, placed the testicles a few inches from the body. This keeps them cool. Men with undescended testicles have difficulties producing sperm.
Morgentaler reports that men who wear tight pants and/or tight briefs, regularly use saunas, jacuzzis, hot tubs,or whirlpools or even take frequent hot baths can have lower sperm counts. Some of his patients' sperm counts have gone up when they stopped these activities or changed to looser fitting clothing.
Exercise also generates heat but doesn't interfere with fertility. That's because sweating during exertion cools the body. Even marathon runners don't have problems producing sperm, according to Morgentaler.
Other factors that can adversely affect fertility include:
RESOURCES:
American Urological Association Foundation, Inc.
http://auafoundation.org/
Male Infertility
American Academy of Family Physicans
http://familydoctor.org/766.xml
References:
Bener A, Al-Ansari AA, Zirie M, Al-Hamaq AO. Is male fertility associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus? Int Urol Nephrol. 2009 Apr 21
Male fertility. Atlanta Reproductive Health Center website. Available at: http://www.ivf.com .
Last reviewed April 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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