Asthenospermia is known as

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Asthenospermia, also called asthenozoospermia, is the medical term for reduced sperm motility.
The prefix 'astheno-' means weakness, referring to the 'weak' or poor movement of the sperm.
Sperm motility is a critical factor for fertility, as sperm must be able to swim effectively to reach and fertilize an egg.
According to WHO guidelines, asthenospermia is diagnosed when less than 40% of the sperm are motile or less than 32% have progressive motility.

Option A: The complete absence of sperm in semen is known as Azoospermia, not Asthenospermia.
Option B: A low number or concentration of sperm is called Oligospermia (or oligozoospermia). Asthenospermia relates to sperm quality (movement), not quantity.
Option C: An abnormally high sperm count (e.g., over 250 million/mL) is known as Polyzoospermia. This is the opposite of a low count and is unrelated to motility.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology of male infertility and semen analysis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and their partners about semen analysis results, helping them understand complex medical terms and their implications for fertility.
Providing emotional support is vital, as a diagnosis of male factor infertility can be stressful for the couple. The nurse can facilitate communication and guide them towards appropriate counseling or support groups.
Nurses can discuss potential lifestyle modifications that may improve sperm quality, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive heat to the scrotum.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key term in the question stem: 'Asthenospermia'.
This is a definition-based recall question. Try to break down the medical term into its roots.
The prefix 'a-' means 'without' or 'lack of' (e.g., Azoospermia - lack of sperm).
The prefix 'oligo-' means 'few' or 'scanty' (e.g., Oligospermia - low sperm count).
The prefix 'astheno-' means 'weakness'.
The suffix '-spermia' refers to a condition of the sperm or semen.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Gynecology Williams pp. 23-51, 49-73

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 113-115

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