Overview
Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder is a condition in which a man's sperm cannot move (swim) properly, making it difficult or impossible to naturally conceive a child. Sperm need to swim effectively to reach and fertilize an egg, so when their movement is impaired, fertility is significantly reduced. This condition is sometimes called asthenozoospermia when sperm motility is reduced, or complete asthenozoospermia when sperm show no movement at all. The underlying causes can be genetic, meaning changes (mutations) in specific genes affect the structure or function of the sperm tail (flagellum), which is the part of the sperm responsible for movement. In some cases, the condition is related to primary ciliary dyskinesia, where tiny hair-like structures throughout the body — including sperm tails — do not work correctly. Affected men are typically otherwise healthy, and the condition is usually discovered when a couple has difficulty getting pregnant. Treatment options focus on assisted reproductive technologies. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a form of in vitro fertilization (IVF) where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg, is the most effective approach. There is currently no medication that can restore normal sperm motility in genetic forms of this disorder. Genetic counseling is recommended to understand the inheritance pattern and implications for future children.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Inability to conceive a child after one year of tryingLow or absent sperm movement seen on semen analysisAbnormally shaped sperm tailsShort or stumpy sperm tails in some genetic formsMultiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF)Normal sex drive and sexual function in most casesNo other obvious health symptoms in many casesPossible chronic sinus or lung infections if related to ciliary dyskinesiaPossible organ positioning abnormality (situs inversus) in ciliary dyskinesia-related cases
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder.
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Specialists
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the specific cause of my sperm motility problem, and could it be genetic?,Should I have genetic testing, and if so, which genes should be tested?,What are my chances of fathering a child with ICSI or other assisted reproduction?,Could my condition be passed on to my children?,Are there any lifestyle changes or supplements that might improve my sperm function?,Should I be evaluated for primary ciliary dyskinesia or other related conditions?,What fertility clinic or specialist do you recommend for my specific situation?
Common questions about Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder
What is Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder?
Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder is a condition in which a man's sperm cannot move (swim) properly, making it difficult or impossible to naturally conceive a child. Sperm need to swim effectively to reach and fertilize an egg, so when their movement is impaired, fertility is significantly reduced. This condition is sometimes called asthenozoospermia when sperm motility is reduced, or complete asthenozoospermia when sperm show no movement at all. The underlying causes can be genetic, meaning changes (mutations) in specific genes affect the structure or function of the sperm tail
At what age does Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder typically begin?
Typical onset of Male infertility due to sperm motility disorder is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.