Astenozoospermi

Astenozoospermi, also known as asthenozoospermia, is a condition in which sperm have reduced motility. Motility is a key factor in the ability of sperm to travel through the female reproductive tract and fertilize an egg. The impairment can affect the overall percentage of motile sperm or the forward progression of motile sperm. It may occur as an isolated finding or in combination with other semen abnormalities such as low sperm concentration or abnormal sperm morphology.

Diagnosis is based on semen analysis performed according to established laboratory criteria. In asthenozoospermia, the laboratory report shows a lower-than-normal proportion of motile sperm and/or reduced forward progression compared with reference values. Since several factors can transiently affect motility, repeat testing and correlation with clinical history are common parts of the diagnostic workup. Additional tests may be used to exclude or identify contributing conditions, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, or structural issues of the reproductive tract.

Causes and risk factors are diverse and can include infections of the male reproductive tract, hormonal disturbances, varicocele, genetic factors, or obstructions. Lifestyle and environmental influences—such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, obesity, heat exposure, and certain medications—can also impact sperm motility. In many cases, the cause remains idiopathic.

Management focuses on identifying and addressing potential underlying factors when possible. Lifestyle modifications, treatment of infections or hormonal disorders, and antioxidant therapy are sometimes considered, though evidence varies. For couples experiencing infertility due to asthenozoospermia, assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection can improve the chances of conception, depending on the specific semen parameters and clinical context.