05/07/2025
Asthenospermia -Slow-moving sperm, also known as asthenozoospermia or reduced sperm motility, can be caused by a variety of factors that affect sperm production, structure, or function. Here are the key reasons:
⸻
🔬 1. Medical Causes
• Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum raise testicular temperature, affecting motility.
• Infections: STIs (e.g., chlamydia), prostatitis, or orchitis can impair sperm function.
• Hormonal imbalances: Low testosterone, high prolactin, or thyroid disorders.
• Antisperm antibodies: Immune reaction where the body attacks its own sperm.
• Genetic abnormalities: E.g., Kartagener’s syndrome (immotile cilia syndrome).
• Testicular failure: From trauma, torsion, undescended testes, or cancer.
⸻
🧬 2. Lifestyle Factors
• Smoking and alcohol: Damages sperm DNA and reduces motility.
• Obesity: Associated with hormonal imbalance and increased oxidative stress.
• Drug use: Anabolic steroids, marijuana, opioids, etc.
• Excessive heat exposure: Hot tubs, saunas, or tight clothing.
• Prolonged sitting (e.g., truck drivers): Can raise scrotal temperature.
⸻
🧪 3. Environmental Toxins
• Pesticides, heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium), BPA
• Radiation and chemotherapy
• Pollution and occupational exposure
⸻
🍽️ 4. Nutritional Deficiencies
• Zinc, selenium, folate, CoQ10, L-carnitine, vitamin C/E
• Low antioxidant levels lead to increased oxidative stress, which affects sperm motility.
⸻
🧼 5. Semen Abnormalities
• High semen viscosity: Hinders sperm movement.
• Abnormal pH or seminal plasma composition
• Prolonged abstinence: Very long gaps can affect motility.
