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Azoospermia

 
Sci-Tech Dictionary: azoospermia
(¦ā′zō·ō′spər·mē·ə)

(physiology) Absence of motile sperm in the semen. Failure of formation and development of sperm.


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Medical Dictionary: a·zo·o·sper·mi·a
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(ā-zō'ə-spûr'mē-ə, ə-zō'-)
n.
  1. Absence of live spermatozoa in the semen.
  2. Failure to form live spermatozoa.
Veterinary Dictionary: azoospermia
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Absence of spermatozoa in the semen, or failure of formation of spermatozoa.

Wikipedia: Azoospermia
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Azoospermia
Classification and external resources

Semen analysis revealing no sperm cells and multiple white blood cells
ICD-10 N46.
ICD-9 606.0
-spermia,
Further information: Testicular infertility factors
(Oligo)spermia - low semen volume
(Oligozoo)spermia - few spermatozoa in semen
(A)spermia - complete lack of semen
(Azoo)spermia - absence of sperm cells in semen
(Terato)spermia - sperm with abnormal morphology
(Asthenozoo)spermia - reduced sperm motility

Azoospermia is the medical condition of a male not having any measurable level of sperm in his semen. It is associated with very low levels of fertility.

Azoospermia has two forms:

  • obstructive azoospermia, where sperm are created, but cannot be mixed with the rest of the ejaculatory fluid due to a physical obstruction, and;
  • non-obstructive azoospermia, where there is a problem with spermatogenesis, as in the condition of hyperprolactinemia.

Azoospermia is a reported side effect of androgen drugs and corticosteroids because they suppress the hypothalamus release of GnRH and therefore FSH. This causes azoospermia in males and amenorrhea in females.

Azoospermia can be congenital, where it can be a manifestation of cystic fibrosis due to agenesis of the vas deferens, among other genetic conditions.

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Sci-Tech Dictionary. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Azoospermia" Read more