Rigi10™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis
Also Known As
Low sperm count, Oligozoospermia
Definition
Oligospermia, also known as oligozoospermia, is a medical condition characterized by a sperm concentration lower than the established reference limit, specifically fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of ejaculate.1 It is a common finding in male infertility, as a reduced number of sperm decreases the probability of successful fertilization.1 Oligospermia can be further classified based on sperm concentration: mild (10 to <15 million sperm/mL), moderate (5 to <10 million sperm/mL), and severe (<5 million sperm/mL).1
Clinical Context
Oligospermia is a key factor in the evaluation of male infertility, which affects up to 15% of couples worldwide, with a male factor contributing to roughly half of these cases.1 The clinical work-up for oligospermia involves a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and semen analysis as the initial key test.1 The evaluation aims to identify reversible causes such as hormonal deficiencies (e.g., hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction), medication effects, retrograde ejaculation, or anatomical abnormalities like varicocele.1 Environmental exposures and lifestyle factors can also contribute.1
Underlying causes can be diverse, including endocrine disorders, genetic syndromes (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome), infections affecting the reproductive tract, testicular dysfunction (e.g., due to undescended testes, tumors), or obstructions in the sperm transport system.1 In a significant percentage of cases (60-75%), the cause of oligospermia remains idiopathic (unknown) even after a thorough investigation.1
Patient selection for specific treatments depends on the underlying cause. For example, hormonal imbalances may be treated with hormone therapy. Surgical correction may be considered for varicoceles. For idiopathic oligospermia or when specific treatments are ineffective, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are often recommended.1 The expected outcomes vary widely depending on the cause, severity, and treatment modality. It is also important to address the psychological impact of an oligospermia diagnosis.1