Azoospermia-its causes

 

 

 

Azoospermia –its causes

1) Primary Testicular Failure-this kind of damage / insult occurs during intra uterine life i.e. development process. In such cases FSH will be high. This is the most common cause of azoospermia.  One subtype of this is  a syndrome called TDS=Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome- which also lead to low or absent sperms. -. Therefore pregnant mothers should maintain optimal health so that the foetus inside womb grows properly.

 

 2) Genetic diseases of azoospermia :-There is some deletion or mutation disorders in spermiogenesis  so that sperm production is interfered . In fact this is the most common cause of azoospermia) 3) Idiopathic (cause not known inspite of several investigations), 4) Hypothalamic-Pituitary Diseases (Primary hypogonadism). Additionally, following diseases can lead to absence production of sperms in the testis e.g. Testicular Dysfunction Syndrome, Maldescent of testis, Cryptorchidism, Torsion of testis, Viral and bacterial infections, Chemotherapy and radiation are not uncommon .

 

Testicular Dysfunction Syndrome is another cause of azoospermia

Testicular Dysfunction Syndrome is not to be confused with the previously described “Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome-“  . This syndrome is the result of variety of factors which are in operational.  Many uphold the view that there is point mutations but environment has  an added role in the expression of the disease e.g. maternal toxins, maternal life style, dietary habits, lack of exercise . However, in continuation with point mutation & paracrine theory in cases of TDS is also contribute to nonproduction of sperms. This absence of local coordination between different growth factors and paracrine function eventually lead to stoppage of sperm function .

Testicular Dysfunction Syndrome is another cause of azoospermia and role of Sertoli Cells (Contd)

Therefore there   is both abnormal functions of Leydig cells (which secrete intratesticular androgen) and abnormal secretions / synthesis of Sertoli cells.

Sertoli cells are the PILLARS of a multi storied bldg and normally secrete many known & unknown  products which pass on the nearby  semimeferous tubules to synchronize the production and some degree of maturation(acquision of functional competency of sperms)  spermatogenesis. But final maturation of sperms occurs at epididymis.