Review article
Male Infertility
Dinko Hauptman
Zoran Zimak
Dominic Vidović
Željko Kaštelan
Abstract
Male infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Male infertility is responsible for approximately half of all infertility cases. Its causes are diverse and include disorders in sperm production (oligospermia, azoospermia), disorders in sperm structure and motility, hormonal imbalances, genetic irregularities, acquired conditions such as varicocele, infections, trauma, or the aftereffects of surgical procedures. External factors such as smoking, alcohol, stress, obesity, toxin exposure or elevated testicular temperature also significantly impact fertility. The diagnostic process is based on detailed patient history, a physical examination and basic spermiogram to assess sperm volume, concentration, mobility and morphology. In case of abnormal findings, additional tests such as hormonal analyses, ultrasound, genetic testing or sperm DNA fragmentation tests are conducted. Treatment depends on the origin: hormonal disorders require drugs to stimulate or regulate the hormonal axis, surgical correction can improve sperm parameters following varicocele, and antibiotic therapy is administered for infections. If conservative methods are not successful, couples have access to assisted reproductive technology, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Prevention and improvement of fertility involve a healthy lifestyle - avoiding harmful habits, maintaining weight control, a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Timely diagnosis and an individualized therapeutic approach are key to increasing the likelihoods of preserving or repairing male fertility.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
345168
URI
Publication date:
26.2.2026.
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