Testosterone and sperm production

Testosterone the principle male sex hormone is needed for normal production of sperm cells.  Testosterone is secreted in testicles. A small amount of this hormone is also secreted by adrenal glands.

The developing sperm cells are supported by Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells are situated within seminiferous tubules of testes. These cells provide nourishment to developing sperms and support them. 

The process of spermatogenesis (the process of production of sperms) is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in surrounding environment. The process very quickly varies to fluctuation of hormone concentration and temperature. High concentration of testosterone is required in surrounding area where sperms develop. The supportive sertoli cells maintain the environment needed for development of sperms. These cells produce a binding protein which concentrates testosterone in the surrounding environment where spermatogenesis takes place.

Low levels of testosterone slow down the process of spermatogenesis or sperm production. Hence all measures have to be taken to maintain the normal level of testosterone to increase sperm count and sperm motility.

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Testosterone And Male Fertility - How Is Sperm Related To Testosterone?

Everybody has probably already heard of testosterone.  The word testosterone often conjures up images of big muscle bound bodybuilders, and other manly-man stuff.  In fact, testosterone is almost single-handedly responsible for men's masculine characteristics.

Though testosterone is found in both men and women, the concentration of this steroidal hormone is typically about eight to ten times higher in men.  It is produced in the testis (for men), the ovaries (for women), and in much smaller amounts in the adrenal gland.  For the purpose of this article, we will be focusing on the effects of testosterone on men as opposed to women.

Beginning at about puberty, young men's testis start to increase their testosterone production.  The effects can be seen as changing (lowering) voice, pubic hair (facial and body), enhanced muscle growth, and most importantly the production of sperm.  Testosterone production usually remains strong until around age 40, when it gradually starts to decline.

While the testosterone hormone is not directly responsible for manufacturing sperm cells, it is still a part of the process.  A man's testis are primarily responsible for two things: sperm cell production, and testosterone production.  When testosterone levels drop in the body, a sequence of triggers tells the testis to produce more testosterone and more sperm.

Not only is testosterone a major player in sperm production, it is very active in the sexual activity of men.  Men struggling with low testosterone levels will suffer decreased libido and sex drive.  Impotence or "ED" is often a side effect of low testosterone.

Boosting testosterone levels in men is achievable, but should only be done so with the advice of a medical professional.  If you suspect you may be suffering from decreased testosterone levels, you should visit your local health professional.


Read complete article at http://ayur-guru.blogspot.in/2012/04/testosterone-and-male-fertility-how-is.html

How to Increase Sperm Motility in 5 Easy Steps

Motility is a distinct characteristic of a sperm cell to move and swim towards the egg in order to stimulate fertilization. It refers to the strength and endurance of sperm cell thus, low motility most often results to male fertility problems. Several ways on how to increase sperm motility believed to be effective include eating the right foods and taking herbal supplements.

Here are 5 simple ways on how to increase sperm motility and combat male infertility.

1. By taking vitamin E supplement. Vitamin E protects the body against free radicals and unstable molecules that can damage our reproductive system.

2. Experts advise another effective approach on how to increase sperm motility through eating the right foods. Zinc rich foods such as oysters, help improve motility and maximize semen volume. Other food groups that are rich in zinc include liver, lean red meat, nuts and grains.

3. By eating selenium rich food. Selenium is used by testes to make selenoprotiens, a vital protein used to boost semen production. Examples of selenium rich food are eggs, brewers yeast, brazil nuts, seafoods and garlic.

4. By eating foods rich in L-carnitine. Sperm production uses an amino acid called L-carnitine. Medical reports show that sperm motility and quality are enhanced within the span of 4 months by increasing the intake of amino acid L-carnitine. Food groups that are rich in L-carnitine are lean meat, and dairy products.

5. By taking herbs like maca root and ginger. Both herbs have been used by other cultures and were proven to be non-toxic. It is used in traditional Chinese and South American medicine to prevent infertility in men.

The ways on how to increase sperm motility can't be simpler! With a few dietary changes, herbal medicine and time, one can improve sperm motility and increase your chances of conceiving a child.

There are no magical drugs or potions that directly increase sperm motility. However many men have found using natural herbal supplements as a great approach on how to increase sperm motility. These special herbs, which are formulated to promote overall male sexual health, prove to be effective in helping sperm cells become more fertile and motile.


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Importance of sperm motility

Sperm motility is described as “the ability of sperm to move properly towards an egg”. This “quality” of sperm acts as a factor for successful pregnancies. Sperms which cannot move forward or non motile will not be able to fertilize the egg as they cannot reach it. Hence quality of sperms is more important than quantity of sperms.

Sperms get produced through a process called spermatogenesis. This process takes place inside a man’s testes. The walls of seminiferous tubules play a great role in production of sperms. The sperms thus produced are stored in epididymis (coiled structures present on the upper part of testes) for several days. The sperm use their tails to push themselves into the epididymis and complete their development here. It takes sperm about 4 to 6 weeks to travel through the epididymis

During ejaculation the sperms are pushed out of epididymis . These sperms pass through ductus deferens, spermatic cord, and prostate gland to urethra. This movement of sperms is aided by peristaltic (contraction and relaxation) movement of muscles of male reproductive system. The seminal vesicles and prostate gland produce a whitish fluid called seminal fluid, which mixes with sperms to form semen when a male is sexually stimulated.

When men ejaculate during intercourse, semen is deposited into the fold called fornix near the cervix (neck of the uterus). From the fornix, the sperms swim their way up through the cervix and move through the uterus. Their movement is aided by uterine contractions.

Sperm cells become even more active when they begin to interact with the fertilizing layer of an egg cell. They swim faster and their tail movements become more forceful and erratic. This behavior is called "hyper activation." Recent studies have shown that sudden increase in calcium levels cause the hyper activation of tail of sperms.

Fusion of sperm and egg:

The egg has two protective barriers. The first barrier is made of cumulus cells embedded in gel like material. These cells develop in ovary along with egg to support its growth. The gel like material is made up of hyaluronic acid. The second barrier is made up of glycoproteins. These glycoproteins form a thick shell around oocyte (cell of egg). The hyperactivity of sperm helps to break these barriers. The head of the sperm carries enzymes which when released weaken the barriers of egg. Then a part of cell membrane of sperm fuses with a part of cell membrane of egg. And then sperm cell sinks into cell of egg. At this point the tail of sperm falls of. After penetration egg membrane becomes impenetrable to other sperms to prevent further fertilization.

Through semen analysis the ratio of actively motile sperms to total number of sperms is evaluated.  This ratio indicates the quality of semen which determines the male fertility. Low motility of sperm leads to subfertility or infertility.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.Krishna.R.S is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of  Ayurveda Health Care for Men. Read complete article at Importance of sperm motility .

Low Sperm Count As a Major Cause of Male Infertility

If a man is unable to get his partner to conceive after having a year of unprotected sexual intercourse perhaps it is time to consider matters rather more seriously. In males, one of the ways to assess fecundity is to evaluate the quantity of sperms produced. Low sperm count is one of the major causes of male infertility and this condition rarely manifests concrete signs. Thus, when planning to have a child, consider having some fertility assessments to determine if there are grounds of male infertility.

Male infertility refers to the inability of a male to reproduce within a year of trying. Infertilities in males can be caused by different factors, and a large percentage of this is related to low sperm count. The count is "low" when less than 20 million healthy sperms are present per one ml of ejaculate.

It is true that only one sperm is needed and will impregnate an egg. Once a sperm fertilized the egg, the other sperms can no longer fertilize it. Even so a great number of sperms are necessary since they improve the odds of fertilization to occur. Conversely, no one can say that a man with a low sperm number will be totally incapable of impregnating his mate. His sperms, as long as they are healthy and motile, can fertilize an egg. However, with only one traveling in finding the gem the chances are low. The less number of sperms, the less chances a male has in getting his mate pregnant and father a child.

Low sperm count conditions are not permanent. In some instances, this condition is only temporary. This transient low sperm count may be caused by an exposure to critical factors. These factors include testicular injury, exposure to heat and other environmental factors, smoking, drugs, alcohol, some prescribed drugs, obesity, malnutrition, and stress.

To improve the number of sperm, it is therefore crucial not to expose yourself to these factors. Exercising daily can also help lose excess weight and obesity. Try not to stress out yourself with casual routines. Also, avoid saunas and hot tubs. Couple this with eating a balanced diet and healthier lifestyle. In no time your sperm count will be boosted and returns back to normal.

Following these simple tips can help improve sperm count and restore your fertility. A sufficient sperm count is necessary if you and your partner have been trying to have a child.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/lowspermcount-infertility.html

Tips For Increasing Low Sperm Count - Beware of Cellphones!

There are so many studies that have shown that cell phones can harm the function of male sperm count. The general theory is: the farther you keep your cell phone away from your genital area, the better your chance for increasing low sperm count. To be exact, scientist have found that cell phone signals can effect five essential issues in semen production. They are:

Motility-how they move to the eggs.
Sperm count-the number of sperm inside certain amount of semen.
Morphology-the proper composition.
Viability-the endurance of sperm in certain conditions.
Liquefaction-how long the semen change from a thick gel into liquid.

So,what's causing the damage? There are many theories. Scientist suspect radio frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic (EM) energy necessary for making a call. The higher the EM energy emitted, though, the more damaging it can be. While cell phone RFs are considered low energy, young sperm cells are fragile and easily damaged, and thus may be sensitive to even low energy waves. Another theory is that using cell phone without earpiece can impairs the brain's regulation of the hormones that control sperm production. Radio frequencies can also increase the temperature of the newly forming sperm, which is bad if you want to increasing low sperm count.

Now that you know it, should you dump your cell phone? That's probably unnecessary, but being cautious isn't a bad idea. There are some options:

When the option is available, use a land line rather than your cell phone.
Using an an earpiece is highly recommended because it can protect your other sexual organ--your brain.
Avoid keeping your phone in your lap or your front pocket while not using it.
Your Man-bag, your backpack and even a clip-on holder that's positioned at your side are all better options than keeping it in your front pocket.

Well, maybe health effects may not be picked up for a potentially long time. But, given what is known and what is not known, it's not unreasonable to be as careful as you can. Your awareness about these findings can help you increasing low sperm count.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/lowspermcount.html

Stress and Libido in Men - How to Boost Sex Drive in Men Naturally

Stress and libido in men do not go hand in hand. They seem to be having an inverse relationship. Increased stress in your life can make you lose all your desire to have sex. Not only this, it can also trigger erectile dysfunction. Almost 10-20% of all cases of erectile dysfunction stem from stress related psychological issues.

Stress tends to increase the production of hormone Cortisol in your body which affects testosterone levels adversely. Since testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, a drop in its production leads to lack of sex drive and triggers erectile dysfunction. Not only this, low testosterone levels can also lead to reduced energy levels, loss of lean muscle, increased body fat and weight, mood swings, depression, irritable behavior etc.,

There is hardly any aspect of your body that remains unaffected with a drop in testosterone levels.

How to Reduce Stress

Certain relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can be a big help. Personally, I find deep breathing exercises extremely helpful. Just lie down on a bed and take a deep breath. Hold it for a few seconds and exhale through the mouth. Make sure you take a second or two more to exhale as compared to inhaling.

Repeat this exercise for a few minutes and you would be surprised to see how it can reduce stress.

Another great method of reducing stress is to workout regularly. Regular exercise is a great stress buster. Not only this, it also helps boost blood flow to the genitals and ensure an increase in your libido.

Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation is another factor that can lead to in your stress levels, As a result most men experience a drop in their libido. What is worse is that they do not understand what it causing this drop in their sex drive and begin blaming their family and kids.

Getting adequate sleep helps reduce stress. It is one of the most effective ways to regain your sex drive.

Natural Supplements

Besides reducing stress, there are some natural supplements that are a rich blend of herbs and other nutrients that not only increase blood flow to the penis and boost testosterone production but also help reduce stress. Some of the ingredients in such pills include panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, muira pauma, tribulus terrestris, long jack, acai berry etc.,

Panax ginseng not only helps boost blood circulation in your body but also helps reduce stress. Not only this, it also helps build sperm. Such supplements not only give a boost to your libido or sex drive but also ensure powerful erections. Another interesting fact about the such high quality supplements is that they can also stimulate growth hormone production and reverse age effects to a great extent and that too without any side effects.

Read complete article by Paul Norman @ http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/stress-libido.html

Guy Sex-Anatomy Facts

Always good to clear the air of any misconceptions with some solid facts about the penis:
• Big guys don’t necessarily have big penises. A 6’5” basketball player could have a tiny gherkin-sized penis while a 5’3” shrimpy guy could be extremely well-endowed.
• Likewise, you know what they say about a guy with big feet? Well it doesn’t mean squat. Big hands and feet have nothing to do with penis-size.
• Hairiness (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with virility. Guys who are hairy or who are bald have a predisposition to be that way – it has nothing to do with testosterone or libido.
• Not all guys masturbate regularly. At least 5% pass on this daily activity.
• A veiny penis is totally normal; it is not a sign of infection, infertility, or impotence.
• Mountain Dew will not decrease sperm count. People used to think that yellow dye 5m and caffeine were responsible for a drop in sperm, but both theories have been debunked.
• Not all guys are circumcised and it’s becoming more popular to leave boys fully intact. In fact, 85% of men in the world are uncircumcised. In the US, every year the number of circumcisions drops, and is now only slightly more than 50%.
• The average erect penis is about 5” long. Any hard on bigger than that is considered big.
• Erectile dysfunction is not a symptom of aging. Older people are more likely to get Erectile dysfunction because of other illnesses that they’ve acquired over time and because of medications that they may be taking. This is why young men can also experience ED and problems with impotence.
• Guys can fake an orgasm too. Unless a woman knows that a guy generally ejaculates bucket-loads, it’s possible for a guy to fake climax – almost as easy as it is for his partner.
Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/2009/07/guy-sex-anatomy-facts.html