Oligospermia

Oligospermia, also oligozoospermia, refers to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility (technically "oligoasthenoteratozoospermia")

DIAGNOSIS: Sperm concentrations of less than 20 million sperm/ml are generally considered to be low or oligospermic. Sperm concentrations fluctuate and oligospermia may be temporary or permanent.

Idiopathic oligospermia (oligoasthenoteratozoospermia):

In about 30 % of infertile men no causative factor is found for their decrease in sperm concentration or quality by common clinical, instrumental, or laboratory means, and the condition is termed "idiopathic" (unexplained).

A number of factors may be involved in the genesis of this condition, including age, infectious agents (such as Chlamydia trachomatis), Y chromosome microdeletions, mitochondrial changes, environmental pollutants, and "subtle" hormonal changes.