Etiology of Infertility

ETIOLOGY OF INFERTILITY

Successful conception requires a specific series of complex events:

ovulation of a competent oocyte, (2) production of competent sperm, (3) juxtaposition of sperm and oocyte in a patent repro-ductive tract and subsequent fertilization, (4) generation of a viable embryo, (5) transport of the embryo into the uterine cavity, and (6) successful implantation of the embryo into the endometrium (Fig. 38.2).

Any defect in one or more of the essential steps in reproduc-tion can result in diminished fertility or infertility.

Furthermore, some degree of male infertility is implicated in up to 40% of couples. Conditions that affect fertility are divided into four main categories:

·     Female factors (65%)

·     Male factors (20%)

·     Unexplained or other conditions (15%)