What is cryptozoospermia?
A sperm concentration of less than 100,000 sperm per millilitre of semen is referred to as cryptozoospermia. The disease is sometimes called “virtual azoospermia,” as the initial sperm count may frequently be zero. After the semen is centrifuged and inspected under a microscope, sperm may then be discovered.
Cryptozoospermia was discovered in 27.2% of cases with male-factor infertility, according to a survey of males at infertility clinics in Turkey. The prevalence, however, was discovered to vary depending on the patient’s history, including their genetics, age, way of life, and geography.
Cryptozoospermia vs. oligozoospermia or azoospermia
Various degrees of low or no sperm counts are referred to as cryptozoospermia, oligozoospermia (sometimes called oligospermia), and azoospermia. Patients with cryptozoospermia or oligospermia frequently have aberrant sperm morphology (shape, size, and structure), as well as poor sperm motility (movement, a measure of how well sperm “swim”).
Oligozoospermia is identified when the sperm concentration in the semen is less than 15 million sperm per millilitre. Specifically:
- 10-15 million sperm/mL constitutes mild oligospermia.
- 5–10 million sperm/mL is considered moderate oligospermia.
- 0–5 million sperm/mL constitutes severe oligospermia.