teratozoospermia, abnormal sperm morphology
The causes of teratozoospermia are unknown in most cases. However, Hodgkin's disease, coeliac disease, and Crohn's disease may contribute in some instances. Lifestyle and habits (smoking, toxin exposure, etc.) can also cause poor morphology. Varicocele is another condition that is often associated with decreased normal forms (morphology).
In cases of globozoospermia (sperm with round heads), the Golgi apparatus is not transformed into the acrosome that is needed for fertilization.
An abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum.
A medical condition impairing the function of the thyroid.
Antibodies that bind to sperm, inhibiting their movement, stopping recognition and entry into the egg.
Male diagnosis connected with male infertility characterised by the complete absence of semen.
Absence of sperm in the ejaculate despite normal spermatogenesis, caused by an obstruction of the genital tract.
A rare abnormality of sperm morphology, with the majority of sperm cells being round-headed, which leads to male infertility.
A condition in which fertility impairment occurs spontaneously or due to an unknown cause.
Male gonads which produce both sperm and androgens, such as testosterone, and are active throughout the reproductive lifespan of the male.
The duct in the testicle that carries semen from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
A male reproductive cell which is able to fertilize the counterpart female gamete - the oocyte.
An undifferentiated male germ cell with self-renewing capacity representing the first stage of spermatogenesis.
FSH is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It regulates the development, growth, pubertal matur and reproductive functions of the body
Steroid hormone produced primarily in the testes of the male; responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in the male.
The fusion of an ovum with a sperm to initiate the development of a new individual organism.
A normal sperm morphology of less than 4% of sperms in an ejaculate.
Process by which a woman donates eggs for purposes of assisted reproduction or biomedical research.
A micromanipulative fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
The procedure in which a man (sperm donor) provides his sperm for fertility treatment.
A process in which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. Own or donated gametes may be used.
