Male infertility

Fertility Specialist Richard Marrs, MD, explains what male infertility is, how male infertility is tested for, what can cause infertility in men, and more
Male Infertility - Definition, Causes, and Treatments
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Male infertility

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Male infertility is defined by looking at sperm parameters. That's really the only marker we have to determine whether a man is fertile or not. For a male to be fertile, you should produce a minimum of 20 million sperm pr cc of fluid ejaculate. Of those sperm, at least 40% or 50% should be moving progressively or swimming motile, and at least 15% being normally shaped sperm cells. That' s considered a fertile ejaculate. What causes problems with an ejaculate can be lifestyle, man that are under severe stress can have lowered semen parameters. I've seen professionals and athletes that during the season, can have very low sperm production. After the season's over, their sperm count resume to normal. Medications or drugs can affect sperm production and sperm function. Smoking is one of the biggest factors that we look at that creates problems with semen function and sperm numbers. Drug use, marijuana use, historical use of drugs overtime can create sperm issues and diminished fertility in the man.
PREGNANCY, Fertility, Infertility

Fertility Specialist Richard Marrs, MD, explains what male infertility is, how male infertility is tested for, what can cause infertility in men, and more

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Richard Marrs, MD

Fertility Specialist

Dr. Richard Marrs is a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist. He studied medicine and trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Texas before moving to Southern California to study Reproductive Endocrinology. While at the University of Southern California, he developed one of the country’s first IVF programs, which is responsible for the second IVF birth in the United States and the first birth from cryopreserved embryos in the United States in 1986. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of IVF. He has published over 200 papers and books in the area of Reproductive Endocrinology and In Vitro Fertilization and is a prominent figure in the national and international infertility communities. In 1996, he published a book for couples called the Dr. Richard Marrs' Fertility Book: America's Leading Infertility Expert Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Getting Pregnant.

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Transcription: 
Male infertility is defined by looking at sperm parameters. That's really the only marker we have to determine whether a man is fertile or not. For a male to be fertile, you should produce a minimum of 20 million sperm pr cc of fluid ejaculate. Of those sperm, at least 40% or 50% should be moving progressively or swimming motile, and at least 15% being normally shaped sperm cells. That' s considered a fertile ejaculate. What causes problems with an ejaculate can be lifestyle, man that are under severe stress can have lowered semen parameters. I've seen professionals and athletes that during the season, can have very low sperm production. After the season's over, their sperm count resume to normal. Medications or drugs can affect sperm production and sperm function. Smoking is one of the biggest factors that we look at that creates problems with semen function and sperm numbers. Drug use, marijuana use, historical use of drugs overtime can create sperm issues and diminished fertility in the man.
PREGNANCY, Fertility, Infertility