As with other causes of male infertility, physical structure of the male reproductive organs can have an impact on the ability to produce offspring.
Structural conditions which can contribute to male infertility fall into three main categories:
Testicular structural problems affecting male fertility include:
- underdeveloped testes
- missing testes or missing portions of the testes
- deformity of the seminal vesicles - where the sperm is stored prior to ejaculation
Ductal problems can encompass:
- Congenitally blocked vas deferens (the tube that transports sperm)
- Malformed or absent seminal ducts - ducts through which sperm exits during ejaculation
- Scarred ducts associated with infection
- Genetically missing ducts
Penile structural problems may include:
- Damaged musculature which prevents erection
- Damaged urethra - the passage through which urine and sperm exit the body
- Hypospadias - urinary opening on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip
Male infertility is a product of many different disorders, including structural problems within the male reproductive system. Only through thorough evaluation by an Infertility Specialist, can structural problems be identified and treated.
