Based on our tradition and cultural values, women have been erroneously labelled as the reason behind lack of babies in many home and as such called barren while in truth sometimes it is the hefty looking man with a low quality sperm that needs to be checked.
One common issue about the difficulty in producing babies amongst married couples is the low sperm count and sperm quality. If you doubt this information please schedule a meeting with a Medical laboratory scientist who has records on those who come for testing. The statistics will shock you.
Different factors has been identified as causative factors of low sperm count.
Infection.Some sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea or HIV.
Antibodies that attack sperm. Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them.
Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland, or through unknown causes. Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors can also affect male fertility.
Undescended testicles. During fetal development one or both testicles sometimes fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). Decreased fertility is more likely in men with this condition.
Hormone imbalances. The hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles produce hormones that are necessary to create sperm. Alterations in these hormones, as well as from other systems such as the thyroid and adrenal gland, may impair sperm production.
Chromosome defects. Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome — in which a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic syndromes associated with infertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann's syndrome and Kartagener's syndrome.
Celiac disease. A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility. Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.
Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), certain antifungal and antibiotic medications, some ulcer medications and other medications can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.
Environmental causes
Sperm production or function can be affected by overexposure to certain environmental elements, including:
Industrial chemicals. Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead might contribute to low sperm counts.
Heavy metal exposure. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also can cause infertility.
Radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.
Overheating the testicles. Elevated temperatures impair sperm production and function. Although studies are limited and are inconclusive, frequent use of saunas or hot tubs might temporarily impair sperm count.
Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also might increase the temperature in your scrotum and slightly reduce sperm production.
Health, lifestyle and other causes
Other causes of low sperm count include:
Drug use. Use of cocaine or marijuana might reduce the number and quality of your sperm.
Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production.
Occupation. Certain occupations might be linked with a risk of infertility, including welding or those associated with prolonged sitting, such as truck driving. However, the data to support these associations is inconsistent.
Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke might have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke.
Emotional stress. Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including stress about fertility, might interfere with hormones needed to produce sperm.
Weight. Obesity can impair fertility in several ways, including directly impacting sperm and by causing hormone changes that reduce male fertility.
Two things are important in sperm quality; First is sperm motility which is the ability of the sperm to move in the female reproductive organ or through water to reach the egg and second is sperm morphology which is also called teratozoospermia. It describes what the shape and size of sperm should be for proper fertilization.
The foods listed below have been found to be effective in proper motility and morphology of sperm.
Ginseng for Boosting Sperm Quality
The popular Asian Ginseng plant has been used by the Chinese in the cure of many ailments. No wonder it is making this list. It is a powerful herb known for its extraordinary effects on improving virility in men. It increases sex drive and also enhances your sexual performance.
It has been found to be quite effective in men with erectile dysfunctions, increasing semen volume and sperm production. Ginseng can be obtained in Nigeria from marketers of neutraceuticals and supplements.
Garlic
As a lover of garlic, the all round health effect is laudable. It is a very effective condiment that has been used for many years in the treatment various physical ailments including heart problems and respiratory infections. What most people don’t know is that it is also a potent aphrodisiac and very effective in boosting sperm volume.
It contains a compound called allicin which improves blood flow to the male sexual organs, increasing sperm production and semen volume. Garlic also contains Vitamin B6 and selenium which controls the secretion of sex hormones and reduces sperm damage.
Walnuts:
Walnuts had been one nut I love to eat as a young child but never knew of its numerous benefits. It is the only nuts with appreciable levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which many studies of male infertility have linked to better sperm quality, says researcher Wendie Robbins, PhD, of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. A daily consumption of this nut has the ability to aid proper sperm production.
Fatty Fish
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that men eating a higher amount of oily fish experience a boost in their sperm count by a massive 65% and the interesting part is that getting result is almost immediate because when you eat a fatty fish containing about 10% fat, you can get the boost by the night of that same day. Amazing? Yeah, I thought so too.
The best fish for fats that contain the DHA and omega-3s include salmon, swordfish, tuna and sardines. This post was updated to include these sources of sperm boosters because some of them are common here, easy to get and also inexpensive.
Carrot and Leafy Vegetables:
If you are truly serious about improving your fertility and sperm quality then a diet rich in vitamin A must be regularly consumed by you. Carrot is one vegetable loaded with this nutrient.
According to a study which was carried out by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health and Universities in Canada, Copenhagen, Murcia and New York, it reveals that there is an association between higher dietary consumption of food that contains more carotenoids and better sperm motility and greater number of sperm cells.
They looked at young men’s diets and analysed their sperm samples. They found that men who ate a higher amount of three antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables had sperm with better motility and morphology. The three antioxidants in question were: beta-carotene – found in carrots, lutein – found in lettuce and spinach and lycopene found in tomatoes. It is also critical for you to make sure that you’re getting enough folic acid, because low levels may lead to birth defects such as spinal bifida and hydrocephalus.
Men with low levels of folate have more sperm with chromosomal abnormalities. The need to increase your sperm count, production, and motility is important and to do this, eating lots of dark green veggies and fruit may help.
Stay healthy!
Nrs.Kethz.
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