The intention of this systematic review of literature is to evaluate the validity of chiropractic as a specific tool in the management of infertility. The challenge in all of this is not only to understand the role of vertebral subluxation on fertility but to understand infertility as a whole.
Epidemiology
Infertility is defined as the failure to reproduce after twelve months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated that between 50 and 80 million couples of childbearing age are affected by infertility and although it does not present as a physical threat to the patient it carries along with it a socialized stigma. (Roupa, Puscheck, Mayo, Falcone) There are copious reasons that a couple could have trouble conceiving, but according …show more content…
The male reproductive system can be divided into three subdivisions: spermatogenesis, performance of the male sexual act, and regulation of reproductive hormones. The reproductive system consists of the penis, testis, epididymis, and vas deferens (Figure 2). The testis are composed of approximately 900 coiled seminiferous tubules where the spermatozoa are formed. The sperm are then emptied into the six meter long epididymis where they are non-motile. After eighteen to twenty-four hours in the epididymis the spermatozoa gain the ability to become motile but final motility is inhibited by proteins in the seminal fluid until after ejaculation. After an extended stay in the epididymis the spermatozoa are transferred into the vas deferens directly before it enters the body of the prostate. On either side of the prostate is a seminal vesicle that empties into the ampulla of the prostate. The contents of the seminal vesicles and ampulla pass into the ejaculatory ducts which passes through the prostate gland and empties into the internal urethra. The urethra is the last link connecting the testis to the exterior of the body. …show more content…
An increase in the testes can cause degeneration in the cells of the seminiferous tubules which affects spermatogenesis. Cryptorchidism is a condition in which the testis do not descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. Testes that remain in the abdominal cavity are incapable of forming sperm because the internal structures slowly begin to degenerate. As far as sperm count is concerned, each ejaculation consists of 3.5 millimeters and on average there is 120 million sperm each millimeter which means that on average each ejaculation consists of 400 million sperm. When counts fall below 20 million sperm during each ejaculation the male is more than likely infertile. When a man has a normal sperm count but still considered infertile it could be due to his sperm being physically abnormal, non-motile or relatively non-motile.
Epidemiology
Infertility is defined as the failure to reproduce after twelve months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated that between 50 and 80 million couples of childbearing age are affected by infertility and although it does not present as a physical threat to the patient it carries along with it a socialized stigma. (Roupa, Puscheck, Mayo, Falcone) There are copious reasons that a couple could have trouble conceiving, but according …show more content…
The male reproductive system can be divided into three subdivisions: spermatogenesis, performance of the male sexual act, and regulation of reproductive hormones. The reproductive system consists of the penis, testis, epididymis, and vas deferens (Figure 2). The testis are composed of approximately 900 coiled seminiferous tubules where the spermatozoa are formed. The sperm are then emptied into the six meter long epididymis where they are non-motile. After eighteen to twenty-four hours in the epididymis the spermatozoa gain the ability to become motile but final motility is inhibited by proteins in the seminal fluid until after ejaculation. After an extended stay in the epididymis the spermatozoa are transferred into the vas deferens directly before it enters the body of the prostate. On either side of the prostate is a seminal vesicle that empties into the ampulla of the prostate. The contents of the seminal vesicles and ampulla pass into the ejaculatory ducts which passes through the prostate gland and empties into the internal urethra. The urethra is the last link connecting the testis to the exterior of the body. …show more content…
An increase in the testes can cause degeneration in the cells of the seminiferous tubules which affects spermatogenesis. Cryptorchidism is a condition in which the testis do not descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. Testes that remain in the abdominal cavity are incapable of forming sperm because the internal structures slowly begin to degenerate. As far as sperm count is concerned, each ejaculation consists of 3.5 millimeters and on average there is 120 million sperm each millimeter which means that on average each ejaculation consists of 400 million sperm. When counts fall below 20 million sperm during each ejaculation the male is more than likely infertile. When a man has a normal sperm count but still considered infertile it could be due to his sperm being physically abnormal, non-motile or relatively non-motile.