0:00 Male Fertility Overview: Fertility isn’t just for women. Men also play an important role in pregnancy since they offer the sperm. Basic knowledge would be that pregnancy occurs when the male’s sperm cell fertilizes the female’s egg cell from intercourse. But there is more to be talked about when it comes to men’s fertility. This video is about men’s fertility, sperm production, and causes of infertility.
0:24 Male Reproductive System: Now, men don’t need to go through a menstrual cycle like women do when reaching puberty since they won’t be going into pregnancy. What their reproductive system mainly does is to produce and store sperm. The male reproductive system consists of 4 parts: the penis, testicles, the duct system, and the accessory glands.
0:49 Sperm Production: At the external anatomy, there is the penis and the scrotum. The scrotum houses the testes or testicles, where semen production happens. The testicles have a system of tiny tubes called seminiferous tubules and they contain 2 important types of cells for sperm development: Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. When the pituitary gland from the brain releases gonadotropin hormones, Leydig cells are stimulated by Luteinizing hormone (LH), and Sertoli cells by Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Through this, Leydig cells are able to produce testosterone and androgens which develops the male secondary sexual characteristics. Not only that but it also helps the Sertoli cells do their function of providing nourishment and support to the sperm cells as they go through the process of cell division. Then, each of these cells undergo a process called spermiogenesis to turn into a mature sperm cell.
1:44 Sperm Travels: The mature sperm cells travel into the epididymis where they will be stored until they complete development for five weeks. Out of the epididymis, the sperm is transported onto the vas deferens, or sperm duct, to the seminal vesicle gland. Accessory glands help with the production and maintenance of sperm health. The seminal vesicle gland is where seminal fluid is produced. The liquid contains fructose and serves as a source of energy to the sperm and forms semen. Prostate gland is the walnut-sized gland near the urethra, much like the seminal vesicle glands, it nourishes the semen with fluids and helps prevent its coagulation. If you’ve ever heard the term “vasectomy”, it’s a form of contraception when the vas deferens is cut so it prevents the sperm from becoming semen.
Lastly, when the man gets sexually stimulated, the semen goes out of the body, passing through the ejaculatory duct and onto the urethra.
2:43 Male Infertility: Infertility in men is common as it is in women. Infertility can be contributed by hormonal imbalances, medical or genetic conditions concerning the reproductive system, or habits and lifestyle choices. Among these are possible reasons for male infertility: low sperm count, semen or sperm abnormalities, low testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems, and varicocele. Low libido, also known as lack of sex drive, can also be a sign of infertility.
3:14 Products: There are natural tips and products for helping boost male fertility. Natural tips include regular exercise, and a healthy diet. Avoid excess smoking and drinking to lead a healthier lifestyle and improve sperm quality. There are also products that help with enhancing sex drive as well as improving sperm health. Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb present in few supplements and it’s proven to boost testosterone levels and desire for intimacy. Chrysin is known for balancing testosterone and estrogen levels in men. L-Arginine is a form of arginine that improves blood circulation and libido.
3:52 Ending: Healthy male fertility is important not just in reproducing but also in overall health. If you are experiencing infertility, best to consult your doctor first. Learn more about fertility and health, men’s and women’s, all in our health blogs and websites.
