Male Infertility: Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Technologies in Top Swiss Clinics

Male Infertility: Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Technologies in Top Swiss Clinics

Infertility is a medical problem that can affect both men and women. It is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. 

Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide, which translates to 48.5 million couples. It has been established that impaired male reproductive function is the cause of infertility in 20-30% of cases.

Infertility has negative psychosocial consequences for men. And over the years, this problem is becoming more and more common. Assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF and ICSI, help only in 50% of cases. Therefore, today there is an active search for new more effective strategies for infertility treatment, and cell therapy is one of the most promising technologies in this field.

Types of male infertility

There are two types of male infertility: primary and secondary. Primary infertility is when a man has never had children. Secondary infertility is diagnosed when a man was previously fertile (able to conceive a child) but is no longer fertile. The most common cause of secondary infertility is varicocele - an enlargement of the veins of the scrotum.

Causes and symptoms of infertility in men

The main causes of impaired fertility in men are:

  • Decreased quantity, decreased motility, or abnormal morphology of spermatozoa;
  • Complete absence of spermatozoa (azoospermia);
  • Infection or inflammation of the testicles;
  • Undescended testicle or other congenital defects of the reproductive system;
  • Ejaculation disorders;
  • Cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation therapy);
  • Genetic diseases and hormonal disorders.

Taking certain medications can lead to male infertility. These include chemotherapeutic drugs, anabolic steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat conditions such as Crohn's disease.

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing infertility in a man include:

  • smoking;
  • Alcohol abuse;
  • Drug use;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • High stress levels;
  • Obesity.

As a rule, the main (and sometimes the only) symptom of male infertility is the inability to conceive. However, in some cases, other symptoms are present:

  • Problems with ejaculation or erection;
  • Decreased sexual desire;
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the testicles;
  • Hormonal disorders that can manifest as abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia), hair loss on the face or body.

The presence of these symptoms in combination with the inability to conceive means that a man needs to undergo a diagnostic examination. It is best to do this in the best specialized clinics in Switzerland. CorSwiss   will advise you on any questions you may have and select the best clinic for infertility diagnostics.

Diagnosis of infertility in men in Swiss clinics

The two main methods for assessing male fertility are a blood test for hormones and a semen analysis, which determines the number, motility, and morphology (shape and size) of spermatozoa. The doctor may also recommend an ultrasound examination to assess the condition of the reproductive organs. In some cases, a testicular biopsy is performed to determine the causes of infertility - a small piece of tissue is taken for subsequent histological analysis.

Diagnosis of male infertility begins with a medical examination and medical history. Then the man needs to pass a number of tests, including:

  • Semen analysis. It allows you to assess the number, motility, and morphological characteristics of spermatozoa.
  • Hormonal studies. They help determine the level of testosterone and other hormones that affect a man's reproductive function.
  • Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. It allows you to assess the condition of the testicles, epididymis, and other organs of the reproductive system.

Infertility treatment in men in Swiss clinics

Switzerland is one of the world leaders in the field of infertility treatment. Highly qualified specialists work here, using advanced technologies and treatment methods.

The treatment of male infertility depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, it can be quite conservative, such as if varicocele is the cause of infertility. In other cases, surgery or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may be required.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies

ART are infertility treatments that help you get pregnant by using laboratory methods to fertilize an egg. The most common ART methods include:

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF). This is a method in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the woman's body.
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This is a type of IVF in which a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
  • Embryo transfer (ET). This is the process of transferring embryos into the woman's uterus.

The latest stem cell treatments for male infertility

  • Since assisted reproductive technologies lead to success in only half of cases of male infertility, new treatments have been sought in recent years. Stem cell therapy is one of the most promising areas in this field.
  • There are different ways to use stem cells to restore male fertility. The most effective ones are described below.

Spermatogonial cell transplantation

  • Spermatogenesis is the process of forming mature sperm from spermatogonial cells (stem cells). It occurs continuously throughout reproductive life. During each ejaculation, a man produces millions of sperm. Disruption of spermatogenesis is one of the main causes of male infertility.
  • Since spermatogenesis is considered a stem cell-based mechanism, one way to treat male infertility is with cell therapy. Stem cells can self-renew, regenerate tissues, and differentiate into other cell types. During treatment, the doctor takes a sample of spermatogonial cells using a biopsy. They are then cultured and multiplied in the laboratory, after which they are introduced into the testicles, where mature spermatozoa are subsequently formed from the spermatogonial cells. This technique offers hope to men who are undergoing cancer treatment or suffer from infertility caused by impaired spermatogenesis.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation

  • The use of MSCs in the treatment of male infertility is based on their ability to stimulate the regeneration of damaged testicular tissue and improve sperm production. These cells are easily obtained from the patient's own tissues. They are present in the bone marrow, adipose tissue, and peripheral blood.
  • MSCs are administered in two ways: intravenously or into the testicles. Treatment promotes the regeneration of damaged cells of the reproductive system, improves microcirculation, and restores spermatogenesis. MSCs also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, allowing them to cope with the main causes of impaired fertility in men.

Infertility clinics in Switzerland

There are many clinics in Switzerland that specialize in infertility treatment. The most famous of these include:

  • ProCrea. This is one of the largest reproductive medicine centers in Europe. It is located in the city of Lugano.
  • University Hospital Zurich (UZH). This is one of the leading medical universities in Switzerland. It also offers infertility treatment services.
  • Clinique Sainte-Anne. This is a private clinic located in the city of Geneva. It specializes in the treatment of infertility and other reproductive problems.

New treatments for azoospermia

Azoospermia is a condition in which there are no sperm in the ejaculate. There are two types of the disease:

  • Obstructive azoospermia.A condition in which sperm cannot reach the ejaculate due to physical obstruction of the ductal system. Patients have active spermatogenesis (production of germ cells), mature spermatozoa are often found in the epididymis or vas deferens, but they do not enter the ejaculate. In these cases, surgical techniques are used to obtain sperm for IVF or ICSI.
  • Non-obstructive (secretory azoospermia).It is characterized by the absence of sperm in the reproductive tract. The genitals may not have any obvious or visible defects. However, sperm production/maturation may be impaired due to genetic disease, radiation exposure, accident or surgery.

Non-obstructive azoospermia is not considered to be treatable with medication. Patients with this diagnosis are unable to have their own children. The only options for solving the problem are donor sperm or adoption.

The use of assisted reproductive technologies for men with azoospermia is of very limited effectiveness. A viable sperm can be found in only 56% of cases, and the probability of successful fertilization by ICSI is 41%. As a result, the probability of becoming a father using this method is only 23%.

In recent years, new stem cell treatments for azoospermia have emerged. As with the treatment of other causes of male infertility, the following are mainly used in the case of non-obstructive azoospermia:

  • Spermatogonial cellsAfter being introduced into the testicular area, SSCs migrate to their niche and after some time start to produce mature male germ cells, which leads to the appearance of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and creates conditions for natural conception.
  • Mesenchymal cellsIn this case, the mechanism of action of MSCs is not fully understood. However, scientists believe that they help restore fertility in men with azoospermia by regenerating tissues and organs responsible for spermatogenesis. There is also an opinion that MSCs can interact with very small embryonic cells present in the testes, triggering the normal process of sperm production.

Company CorSwiss  closely monitors innovative developments in medicine and strives to make new treatment methods more accessible to patients. Currently, we offer a unique opportunity to treat male infertility with stem cells. CorSwiss specialists will answer all your questions and help you organize treatment in one of the best regenerative medicine clinics in Switzerland.

Prevention of male infertility

Some forms of infertility cannot be prevented. However, there are methods that help maintain the health of the reproductive system. Men are recommended to:

  • Give up smoking, alcohol abuse and drug use;
  • Avoid visiting baths and saunas, as high temperature negatively affects the production and characteristics of spermatozoa;
  • Avoid exposure to industrial or environmental toxins;
  • Limit the intake of medications that can reduce fertility;
  • Eat a healthy diet;
  • Lead an active lifestyle.

If attempts to conceive a child are unsuccessful for a year or more, the couple should see a doctor. It is better to start diagnostics earlier, as fertility in both men and women decreases with age.

Treatment of male infertility in Switzerland is highly effective and safe. This country employs the best specialists who use the most modern technologies and treatment methods.