Cystic Fibrosis Infertility in Men and Women

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Cystic FibrosisInfertility in Men and Women

• Mary Goodman
• March 15, 2006

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Infertility in Males

• Although men with Cystic Fibrosis still may have
  a great sex life, the majority of them are
  infertile.
• 99 of adult males with Cystic Fibrosis are
  characterized by congenital bilateral absence of
  vas deferens (CBAVD).

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CBVAD

• Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens
• The improper development of the tube through
  which sperm are released from the testes.
• Similar to being born with a vasectomy you have
  sperm but pathway to release them is missing.
• Causes of CBVAD are genetic mutations and
  variations in the CF gene.

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Female Infertility

• Females with CF are less fertile than normal
  healthy women.
• Delayed puberty and amenorrhoea are common due to
  malnutrition.
• Women with CF have a thicker cervical mucus which
  makes it hard for the sperm to swim through,
  however not impossible.

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Resources

• Jarzabek K, Zbucka M, Pepinski W, Szamatowicx J,
  Domitrz J, Janica J, Wolczynoski S, Szamatoqicz
  M. 2004. Cystic Fibrosis as a cause of
  infertility. Reproductive Biology. Vol. 4, No.
  2.
• www.cysticfibrosismedicine.com
• www.healingwell.com/library/cysticfibrosis/info1.a
  sp
• www.dnadirect.com/resource/conditions/cystic_fibro
  sis/faqs_CF_infertility.jsp