SKIN REJUVENAMENT TREATMENT WITH STEM CELLS

TREATMENT OF OLIGOSPERMIA (LACK OF SPERM) WITH STEM CELL

Stem cell therapy can effectively treat oligospermia, enabling individuals facing infertility due to sperm scarcity to become parents with the desired sperm quality and quantity after treatment. The success rate in eligible patients is 95% and above.

Mechanism of Action:

Stem cells have the ability to transform into healthy cells they come into contact with and can proliferate them. In the case of oligospermia, the administered stem cells facilitate the transformation and multiplication of the limited sperm cells.

Applicability of Stem Cell Therapy:

Stem cell treatment for oligospermia can be applied to all adult males with even a limited number of sperm cells.

Procedure:

Stem cells, obtained from the patient's rich adipose tissue or through bone marrow aspiration, are processed and multiplied in a clinical setting. The purified stem cells are then injected into the relevant area of the patient.

Post-Treatment Observations:

Following the therapy, there have been observed cases where individuals, unable to conceive for years due to sperm scarcity, achieved successful parenthood.

 

What is Oligospermia (Lack of Sperm)?

Oligospermia is defined as the condition observed in adult males when the sperm cell count in the semen (the fluid containing sperm) analysis is less than 20 million/ml. Due to variations in living conditions, the concentration of semen may vary among individuals. According to the latest studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), a sperm count of less than 15 million is now recognized as oligospermia.

 

 

Symptoms of Oligospermia:

If an adult male, despite the desire to have children, is unable to conceive, and there is no issue with the partner, the sperm count in the male is examined. Oligospermia, or sperm deficiency, does not exhibit any specific symptoms in the body.

Degrees of Oligospermia:

 Mild Oligospermia: If the test result shows between 10-15 million sperm.

 Moderate Oligospermia: If there are 5-10 million sperm.

 Severe Oligospermia: If the test reveals fewer than 5 million sperm.

Causes of Oligospermia:

Oligospermia can result from various factors, including issues related to the testicles, external factors, unexplained causes, and genetic disorders.

External Factors:

External factors contributing to Oligospermia include inadequate support to the testicles, lifestyle habits, substance abuse (such as drugs, alcohol, and smoking), insufficient vitamins and hormones. Activities like horseback riding or cycling can also cause physical damage to the testicles. Hormonal treatments and hypogonadism (sex hormone deficiency) can be considered among the reasons related to the testicles.

Testicular Factors:

Oligospermia in the absence of hormonal disorders but with testicular-related sperm deficiency can be attributed to age-related sperm count decrease, genetic abnormalities in the Y chromosome, abnorm�l chromosome structure, disorders in the USP 26 enzyme, abnormal growth in any body tissue (neoplasm), structural differences in the reproductive (genital) system, varicocele, swelling in the testicular sac (hydrocele), and past diseases like mumps or malaria.

Factors Arising Later in the Testicles:

Conditions affecting the male reproductive (genital) system and impairing male sperm function can lead to Oligospermia. Infections or prostate problems, cystic fibrosis, and conditions causing obstruction in the ejaculation canal may result in sperm deficiency.

Unexplained (Idiopathic) Oligospermia:

Approximately 30% of men experience unexplained or idiopathic sperm deficiency, meaning it is clinically or laboratory-defined without a clear cause. Factors within this 30% could include age, infectious diseases (such as chlamydia infection), microdeletion syndrome, mitochondrial changes, environmental pollution, and evolving hormonal changes.

 

In a study completed in 2013, Oligospermia and azoospermia were found to be significantly associated with obesity, but the exact cause remains unclear, as these conditions were observed in both obese and thin individuals.

DNA Damage-Related Oligospermia:

The breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) repairs damaged DNA during meiotic division. Mutations in this gene have been associated with severe Oligospermia.

Treatment of Oligospermia:

As the exact cause or causes of Oligospermia are not fully understood, addressing identified deficiencies and maintaining a healthy lifestyle form the basis of expert medical approaches. Besides general expert advice such as healthy eating, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding toxic substances, natural remedies are also considered, including herbal treatments and testosterone-boosting methods. Another natural treatment method is stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Treatment for Oligospermia:

Before opting for stem cell therapy in Oligospermia cases, simpler methods may be considered based on semen analysis, genetic karyotype analysis, and testicular biopsy.

The decision on the treatment options is made according to the findings. If the patient is deemed suitable for stem cell therapy, necessary blood tests are conducted, and the treatment phase begins.

Treatment Process:

Stem cells have the ability to transform into the cells they touch. Therefore, they are used in Oligospermia treatment to touch even a small number of sperm-producing cells, promoting their growth. In patients without genetic disorders, stem cells obtained from the patient are used. If the patient is genetically predisposed to Oligospermia, stem cells not carrying this genetic disorder are administered. The type of stem cell to be administered is determined based on all test results. However, it takes at least 72 days for new sperm production to occur after the entire testicular structure has improved. Therefore, sperm production is expected at the earliest 6 months to 1 year after treatment.

Application Method:

The number of cells to be given is determined according to the patient's age and weight. Treatment can be performed with mesenchymal stem cells (obtained from the patient's own fat tissue or bone marrow) or fetal stem cells. The decision on which treatment to apply is made according to the patient's condition. It can be repeated with 2 sessions at 6-month intervals. The treatment protocol is entirely adjusted to the patient's condition; different protocols can be applied to each patient. The treatment of this condition can be performed in hospital conditions by multiplying stem cells and applying them to the damaged area by Andrology specialists.

 

Success Rates in Stem Cell Treatment for Oligospermia:

If there are very few live cells producing sperm in the testes, the success rate is 95% and above. After sperm formation, the treatment can be repeated 6 months to 1 year later to increase the count. The evaluation period for sperm production is at least 6 months after treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can stem cell treatment for Oligospermia be applied to everyone?

If the patient is not undergoing cancer treatment, does not use cell-killing drugs, and has even a very small number of healthy sperm cells, stem cell treatment can be applied.

How many times can a maximum of stem cell treatment be applied to Oligospermia?

Since the treatment has no side effects, it can be applied as long as the person wants to bring their sperm count to ideal levels. The treatment may provide results in one session, or it may need to be repeated in the coming years.

Does stem cell treatment for Oligospermia create a lack of sexual desire?

Stem cell treatment does not cause a lack of sexual desire. On the contrary, since stem cell treatment is also used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it may have positive effects on the person's sexual performance.

 

Scientific Studies:

 

1. Fazeli, Z., Abedindo, A., Omrani, M. D., & Ghaderian, S. M. H. (2018). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy for recovery of fertility: a systematic review. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 14(1), 1-12.

2. Venkatesan, V., & Madhira, S. L. (2014). Promise (s) of using mesenchymal stem cells in reproductive disorders. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 140(Suppl 1), S98.

3. Volarevic, V., Bojic, S., Nurkovic, J., Volarevic, A., Ljujic, B., Arsenijevic, N., … & Stojkovic, M. (2014). Stem cells as new agents for the treatment of infertility: current and future perspectives and challenges. BioMed research international, 2014.

4. Hassan, A. I., & Alam, S. S. (2014). Evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of infertility in male rats. Stem cell research & therapy, 5(6), 131.

5. Mehrabani, D., Hassanshahi, M. A., Tamadon, A., Zare, S., Keshavarz, S., Rahmanifar, F., … & Ramzi, M. (2015). Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells repair germinal cells of seminiferous tubules of busulfan-induced azoospermic rats. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 8(2), 103.

6. Gassei, K., & Orwig, K. E. (2016). Experimental methods to preserve male fertility and treat male factor infertility. Fertility and sterility, 105(2), 256-266.

7. Vahdati, A., Fathi, A., Hajihoseini, M., Aliborzi, G., & Hosseini, E. (2017). The regenerative effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells in spermatogenesis of infertile hamster. World journal of plastic surgery, 6(1), 18.