Spermatogenesis

A certain series of events needs to occur for sperm cells to mature into viable sperm ready for fertilization. This process is controlled by the man’s endocrine system and is referred to as spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. This is a very small section of the brain that helps maintain and regulate metabolic processes. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is part of the endocrine system. Luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone.

The sperm cells mature when testosterone combines with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Follicle stimulating hormone is critical in spermatogenesis because it aids in the production of androgen-binding proteins necessary for maturation.

All of these processes need to work properly for spermatogenesis to occur, so it is no surprise that many men have problems with infertility. Nearly half of all infertility cases are male-factor.

Many things can interfere with spermatogenesis. Alcohol use, high stress, poor diet, medications, lifestyle, disease and illness are only a few of the things that can interfere with sperm cell maturation. The process of spermatogenesis takes about seventy two days. Therefore, sperm cells can be affected for a long time after an illness or other disruptive trigger.

Because of the sensitive nature of spermatogenesis, multiple semen analysis may be necessary to diagnose a problem. It can take some time to get an accurate idea of what the problem is. Most people are familiar with sperm count.

Sperm count refers to the number of millions of sperm per milliliter of ejaculate. A normal range is between forty million and three hundred million sperm. Sperm count is considered low if it is under twenty million. But, keep in mind that in many cases, low sperm count is temporary and reversible.

Obstructions in the male reproductive system can cause a sperm count to be zero. This is referred to as azoospermia. In these cases, infertility treatments can help. There are several ways for sperm to be retrieved from the testes and reproductive tract. Once the sperm is retrieved, then it can be inserted into an egg outside of the body in the lab through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Another option is in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the sperm and egg are combined in a laboratory and fertilization is allowed to occur. Your Reproductive Endocrinologist will help you decide which method has the greatest chance of success for you.

This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.


About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.