A 76 year old male patient is interested in having a child with his 25 year old wife. You determine that his sperm count is low but normal for his age.

Question

A 76 year old male patient is interested in having a child with his 25 year old wife. You determine that his sperm count is low but normal for his age. How can you help these couple have children? Why is a male’ sperm count lower at 76 than 26?

Answer 1

Although there are many reasons a males sperm count can be low, the most likely is low testosterone. testosterone is produced by the leading cells within the testes. When testosterone is low sperm count can be low. Other rare causes such as Klinefelters, cushings, alcoholism, are also in the differential. We can help this couple by educating the male on low testosterone and possibly prescribing it.