Sperm count can also temporarily drop due to a virus, high fever or the effects of anesthesia from surgery, Sessions said. Low sperm count also is found in some men who are taking calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, she said. Other factors that can damage sperm include industrial chemicals and common cleaners found in the home. Such toxins as boron, benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene oxide and lead can reduce sperm count, decrease sperm motility, create abnormal sperm, decrease libido and sometimes cause impotence, Sessions said. Genetic defects also may play a role in low sperm count.
Genetic testing is offered at some big university research programs.
It is relatively new, but promising. Depending on the amount of sperm, men have various medical options to improve their fertilization chances, Sessions said. If the sperm count is severely low, then in vitro fertilization is the only option. With in vitro, we need only one sperm for each egg. For men who don't have any sperm, urologists can retrieve sperm and then do in vitro.