Читать книгу Need to Know Fertility, Conception and Pregnancy - Harriet Sharkey - Страница 137

In cases where there is no sperm in the seminal fluid, the task is to determine whether there is a problem with production or whether the tubes connecting the testicles to the penis are blocked. Blockage can be treated surgically. If absolutely no sperm is being produced, this implies a problem with the testicles or hormones controlling sperm production and specialist help is required, such as hormone treatment. However, this can only help if the cause is a deficiency in the hormones that control sperm production and the male hormone testosterone.

It is rare for a man to have absolutely no sperm. More commonly, the sperm count will be low or there will be reduced sperm function, such as reduced ability of the sperm to move. As yet, no effective treatment has been proven to increase male fertility where the sperm function is impaired. This does not mean that nothing can be done. Effective treatment can be offered with the following assisted conception techniques:

• intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), although there is a chance that conception may still occur naturally

• donor insemination. The decision to embark on this line of treatment requires careful consideration and counselling from specialist clinics.