Related articles: Teratozoospermia
Definition
Teratozoospermia is a sperm abnormality characterized by the presence of malformed spermatozoa.
This condition is defined when more than 96% of the spermatozoa do not show a correct morphology in one or more portions (head, central part or tail) at the spermiogram (seminal fluid analysis).
Teratozoospermia can affect male fertility.
The causes that involve this alteration of the seminal fluid are for the most part unknown, but it is assumed that various factors can influence the sperm maturation processes in the testicle (spermatogenesis).
Teratozoospermia can result from chemotherapy treatments and radiotherapy in cancer patients.
Other possible causes include reproductive tract infections, inflammation (orchitis), varicocele, cryptorchidism and trauma.
Teratozoospermia may also depend on genetic abnormalities, immunological dysfunctions and systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. In some cases, a strange or abnormal sperm morphology is a consequence of stress and anxiety situations, very high fever, old age and alcohol and drug abuse.
Possible Causes * of Teratozoospermia
- Alcoholism
- Anxiety
- Chlamydia
- Diabetes
- epididymitis
- Gonorrhea
- Male hypogonadism
- Orchitis
- Testicular cancer
- varicocele
