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Main article: Asthenozoospermia Overview
Updated: 21-October-2024
Causes of Asthenozoospermia
The causes of low sperm motility fall into 3 main categories:
- Medical
- Environmental
- Lifestyle
Medical
Medical causes of low sperm motility include:
- Varicocele
- Reactive Oxygen Species
- Infection
- Antisperm antibodies
- Ultrastructural defects
- Genetic
- Medication
- Sleep disorder
- Diabetes
Varicocele
Studies show that males diagnosed with varicocele have significantly worse sperm quality overall including poor sperm motility.
Source: Agarwal A, et al. (2016)
Although the exact cause of varicoceles is not yet known experts suggest scrotal hyperthermia, oxidative stress, hormonal disturbances, testicular hypoperfusion, testicular hypoxia and backflow of toxic substances as possible reasons.
Recently, Almekaty et al. reported that varicoceles is normally found in both testicles, so it’s important health practitioners utilise sensitive imaging techniques during diagnosis.
Source: Almekaty K M, et al. (2023)
Reactive Oxygen Species
Oxidative stress that occurs due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can alter thiol/disulfide homeostasis and acutely affect the sperm plasma membrane leading to impaired sperm cell function. Studies show elevated levels of ROS is cytotoxic and has a negative effect on sperm motility via abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and or ferroptosis. A decrease in histones H3.1 and H3.3, required for the natural antioxidant, hydrogen sulfide, is believed to the main link between ROS and asthenospermia.
