Sperm production takes place in the seminiferous tubule of the testes while sperm maturation takes place in the epididymis.
Infection of any of these chambers can alter one or more processes involved in the spermatogenesis (sperm production).
When this happens, there could be either production of immature or abnormal sperm cells (Asthenospermia) or complete shutdown of the power house, Azoospermia.
A certain man came to my clinic complaining of the wife's inability to get pregnant as well as his intention to divorce her.
When I asked whether he has ascertained that he is not responsible for the barrenness in his marriage, he vehmently refused the possibility.
He based his conviction on the fact that he had a child with another woman few years before the marriage.
After a while of argument, he agreed to do semen analysis.
To his greatest amazement, when the result came out, virtually all the sperms cells were dead and abnormal even though the sperm count was 20 million.
When I asked him about his medical records, he admitted that he had sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea) some years back which he thought was treated.
Prevention or early/proper treatment of sexually transmitted infections is the only better remedy to these sequaele.
When sexually transmitted infections are not properly treated, it could resolve (dry up), however because of the damages of the inner lining of the reproductive canal, a partial or complete blockage of the tube may occur.
It is the vas deferens that is blocked, it will affect the outflow of the sperm which may lead to Azoospermia (no sperm) or Oligospermia (low sperm count).