Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 16 Jun 2023
When it comes to infertility, it can be caused by disorders in either men or women. Experts often differentiate between male and female infertility to determine the underlying symptoms and causes. This differentiation helps the fertility experts to plan for appropriate diagnosis as well as treatment.
Teratospermia, otherwise referred to as teratozoospermia is one such type of disorder found in male infertility. The disorder is associated with a huge number of sperm being in an abnormal structures and shapes (morphology). These morphological abnormalities may certainly affect its ability to move towards the egg. This, in turn, may negatively impact fertilization, and making it difficult for the couples to achieve conception.
In this blog, we are going to talk all about teratospermia in detail. Let’s scroll down.
Researchers found the potential contributing factor for teratozoospermia. However, the exact underlying cause of the condition has not been definitively clarified. The potential contributing factors of the condition may include genetics, certain medical conditions like diabetes, lifestyle choices and more.
Genetic factors are the primary contributors to teratozoospermia. In simple words, if any of your family members have a history of sperm abnormalities or low sperm motility, it can increase the likelihood of other members of the family experiencing the issue.
Certain medical conditions play a vital role in causing the teratozoospermia condition. Infections in the penis can interrupt the production of the sperm.
Furthermore, medical conditions like diabetes, varicocele, and injuries to the testicles can all affect sperm production and its quality. Treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can also affect the quality of the sperm.
Unhealthy lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and other substance use can certainly impact sperm morphology (shape or structure). In addition, lack of exercise, poor diet and obesity can also be the contributing factor of the condition.
Exposing yourself to certain environmental toxins can affect sperm development at different stages. This, in turn, contributes to negatively impact sperm motility (ability to swim efficiently), morphology and DNA integrity.
In addition, prolonged exposure to high temperatures like individuals who find themselves most often in hot tubs, saunas, and long drives can affect sperm production as well as development. The impact happens as the testicles are required to be cooler when compared to the normal body’s temperature. This may crucially help with optimal sperm development.
Hormonal imbalances, especially testosterone fluctuations, can negatively impact the development of the sperm.
Teratozoospermia is a male infertility disorder, which usually does not exhibit any specific symptoms. The disorder can be detected only through semen analysis. This analysis is typically suggested as a part of fertility treatment when couples experience difficulty in conceiving. The diagnosis can be confirmed by evaluating if the huge number of sperm, in particular more than 95%, exhibit abnormal morphology and motility.
Treatment options for teratospermia may widely differ depending on the severity. Nutritional support and certain lifestyle modifications may respond better in mild cases. Whereas fertility treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are required in severe cases.
The following are some of the treatment options for teratospermia practised by fertility experts at A4 Fertility Centre to increase the likelihood of pregnancy. They are:
Individuals having the mild severity of teratospermia can improve their sperm development through adopting a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle may include a balanced diet, moderate exercise, avoiding the consumption of alcohol, avoiding smoking, and minimizing their exposure towards high temperature. All these modifications may significantly help with exhibiting the positive impact on sperm morphology and motility.
Nutritional supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and L-carnitine may indeed help with improving sperm morphology, motility and its concentration. In addition, these supplements can be beneficial in preventing sperm from cellular damage. They may also certainly aid men from struggling with infertility because of the compromised sperm quality.
If your healthcare provider identifies hormonal imbalance as the cause of teratospermia, hormonal therapy may be suggested. The treatment involves restoring the normal sperm production and enhancing its quality. The hormonal therapy for teratospermia is focused on regulating hormone levels. This, in turn, may potentially lead to improving sperm morphology and overall reproductive health.
In general, surgical interventions are recommended in certain medical conditions like varicocele. The removal of the condition (varicocelectomy) through surgery may significantly help with improving sperm production and its quality.
Note that, the severity of the condition teratospermia may have an influence on the outcome of the treatment.
Teratozoospermia, being the disorder of male infertility may generally not cause permanent infertility. The disorder can be effectively managed, especially with mild teratozoospermia. Experts claim that there are couples who achieved pregnancy naturally even with the condition. Assisted reproductive techniques like ICSI and IVF can significantly enhance the chances of successful conception, even with severe teratozoospermia.
In addition, mild teratozoospermia can be reversed if the underlying cause is manageable and temporary. Hence, having a consultation with expert specialists in fertility may indeed help with accurate diagnosis and the most personalized treatment suggestions.
1. Which is cost-effective ICSI or IVF?
The cost of IVF is often lesser than ICSI. This is because of the additional lab techniques involved in the ICSI procedure. In Chennai, the basic cost of IVF can range between ₹ 1,50,000 and ₹ 2,00,000. Whereas, IVF with ICSI can widely vary between ₹ 2,00,000 and ₹ 2,50,000. Though, the cost of the ART treatment may primarily differ based on the clinic and expertise of the providers.
2. Is it possible to get pregnant naturally with teratozoospermia?
The answer to the question is yes. It is quite possible to achieve a successful pregnancy naturally with mild teratozoospermia.
3. Are there any ranges to determine the severity of teratospermia?
The answer to the question is yes. To determine the severity of the teratospermia, experts use the value ranging from 10 - 14% for mild teratospermia. The percentage exhibits the number of healthy sperm morphology. While moderate teratospermia may range from 5 - 9% for normal morphology. And, less than 5% for severe teratospermia.
4. Which fruit and vegetable is good for sperm morphology?
Several fruits and vegetables may aid in improving sperm morphology. They may include pomegranates, spinach, tomatoes, berries and bananas.
5. Is it true that curd can increase sperm count?
The answer to the question is yes. The recent studies found that the low-fat curd can be beneficial in improving the sperm count. Curd contains a rich source of vitamin D and curd. These nutrients are essential for enhancing sperm health.
