Along with increased hematocrit, a major adverse effect of TRT is decreased sperm production due to intratesticular decline. Low testosterone levels don't directly cause infertility. Sperm production is stimulated by hormones other than testosterone. Testosterone is necessary for sperm production, but the level in the testicles where sperm is produced is many times higher than in the blood.
Even men with low or borderline levels of testosterone may have levels of testosterone sufficient for sperm production, but this can contribute to lower counts or loss of sperm health. Testosterone therapy is already known to reduce sperm production, but if a man consumes too much testosterone, this can create an even greater infertility problem. This could create a problem among men who take over-the-counter testosterone stimulants and may not have low testosterone levels at all. If the supplement raises levels too high, the body may not produce sperm.
of quality. A common assumption is that taking more testosterone increases sperm production and improves sperm quality. However, the contradictory truth is that supplementing with medications or testosterone stimulants actually inhibits sperm production. For sperm production to occur, available testosterone must be produced naturally in the testicles.
Most male testosterone is produced and found in the testicles. The testes produce high concentrations of testosterone, some of which enters the bloodstream and travels to different areas of the body. The benefits of increasing testosterone levels include improved sexual well-being, increased energy levels, mental clarity, improved mental health, and increased muscle growth. However, when it comes to sperm production, the key is the concentration of testosterone found specifically in the testicles.
Sperm, like testosterone, are produced in the testicles. For sperm production to occur, there must be a very high concentration of testosterone in the testicles, which only happens when testosterone is produced in the own testicles. The connection between TRT and sperm count is a topic of ongoing research and debate. Recent studies have shown that TRT can have a negative impact on sperm count and motility.
This means that men who undergo testosterone replacement may experience a decrease in the number of sperm, as well as a decrease in the ability of those sperm to move effectively. The exact mechanisms through which TRT affects sperm count and quality are not yet fully understood. Scientists believe that administering exogenous testosterone can alter the body's normal hormonal balance, which in turn can interfere with sperm production and development. In addition, the use of TRT can also cause other adverse effects on male fertility, such as changes in sperm shape and DNA integrity.
These concerns have led to further research into the potential effects of TRT on male fertility. The lower activity of Leydig cells leads to a decrease in the stimulation of the seminiferous tubules where sperm are formed. Over time, excess testosterone from supplements essentially blocks the testicles' ability to produce sperm. This can lower sperm count, reduce sperm motility, and increase abnormal sperm morphology, all of which affect male fertility.
Men with low testosterone levels may have sexual difficulties that interfere with fertility, but low testosterone levels can also interfere with normal sperm production. The ASRM Public Affairs Office issues ASRM press releases and bulletins to inform the world about important developments in reproductive medicine and the ASRM. It directly mimics LH and, in a similar way, signals the testes to produce more testosterone, which in turn can induce sperm production. Options such as clomiphene citrate and hCG, along with referral to a reproductive urologist, should be considered to naturally increase testosterone levels in men with low testosterone who want to avoid TRT.
As spermatids mature and lengthen, desmosomes are replaced by stronger, more specialized, adherent junctions called ectoplasmic specializations, which are maintained until the release of mature sperm. If fertility is affected by TRT, couples may need in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection to conceive in the future. This is because synthetic testosterone can lower a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is responsible for organizing sperm production in the body (Patel, 201. When testosterone levels rise too high due to the use of supplements and steroids, the brain sends signals to the testicles to stop testosterone production). The good news is that, while administering TRT can lower sperm counts, the effects are often reversible once TRT is stopped.
Clomiphene citrate is a tablet, usually taken every other day, that stimulates the pituitary to produce more luteinizing hormone, which then signals the testicles to produce more testosterone. If you are found to have a low sperm count, there are many options to increase your chances to conceive. GnRH, in turn, stimulates the release of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary, which modulates the production of testosterone in Leydig cells and spermatogenesis in Sertoli cells, respectively. Men of reproductive age with low testosterone levels should be informed about the adverse effects of TRT on fertility.
While male infertility has hormonal causes, low testosterone isn't one of them, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Older men or men who have been taking testosterone for long periods of time may not be able to recover sperm quality after treatment ends. It can cause erection problems, decreased sexual desire, mood changes, and problems with health and sperm count.
