You’ve heard of smart homes. And I bet you own a smart phone. Both great examples of technology for better living. RememberThe Jetsons‘ smart home, complete with conveyor belts and Rosie the robot maid? And who can forget the large “brick” cell phonesof days past, with terrible reception and constantly drained batteries. Well, there’s also a...Continue reading
Tag: Azoospermia
Lab Grown Sperm: Fact or Fiction?
Did it really happen? Did a company in Lyon, France actually make human sperm in a dish, as touted in a press release? Or will our hopes be dashed as before? Your guess is as good as mine. A Symphony of Biology Compare spermatogenesis to a symphony score, but a masterful one, like a work...Continue reading
East Meets West in Medicine
There I go again, a Western guy giving a lecture to an Eastern crowd. What team do I play on, you ask? In fact, I am honored to give a keynote at the First Integrative Fertility Symposium in Vancouver. Ok, call me a “swingman,” but the Easterners have a lot up their medical sleeves too....Continue reading
40 Years of Male Infertility: Progress Beyond Belief
The case of the month is an actual patient of The Turek Clinic. Distinguished appearing, he had a concerned look as he sat down across from me. “Years ago, I tried to bank sperm in college, but I was told that there was none,” he said. The story went on. With more than one partner, he...Continue reading
Don’t Get Older If You Can Help It
It’s called “mutational load.” Doesn’t sound all that pleasant does it? And, it’s ascribed mainly to men. Now, in addition to mid-life crises and retirement, it’s something new to think about as you age. Boning up for my keynote speech on “The Reproductive Genetics of the Aging Male” for the American Society of Andrology this weekend,...Continue reading
Sperm Archaeology
“I heard that that you can get sperm from a rock,” said the patient. Eyebrows raised, I responded: “Actually, I’ve never tried.” But his statement did get me thinking: I am a sperm archaeologist of sorts. Sands of Time Growing up, who hasn’t thought about being archeologist at some point? Sifting through sand in exotic...Continue reading
March Madness Means Tying Tubes
The case of the month is an actual patient of The Turek Clinic Traditionally, March Madness referred to the breeding season of the somewhat shy European rabbit. More recently in the U.S., it is a month of lots of college basketball playoffs, in which men are either glued to TVs or frantically attending games. In...Continue reading
Meaningful Moments from 2014
What a year! 2014 was certainly one of exploration and adventure and I am not just talking about the stock market, the Affordable Care Act or oil prices. In the realm of men’s health, here are some personal highlights: Testosterone comes under attack. The “elixir of life” for men became tainted with FDA warnings of associations with heart...Continue reading
Measure Twice, Cut Once
The case of the year is an actual patient of The Turek Clinic (identity protected). They hailed from Cairo, Egypt. Maybe it was a karma-thing but, as a couple, they were as gracious and timeless as the nearby Giza pyramids. They were also desperate to have children and exhausted by what they had gone through for his diagnosis of azoospermia....Continue reading
Sperm and Testosterone: A Love-Hate Relationship
He stood there looking at me, as deflated as an old circus balloon. “Doc, I heard that testosterone is important for my fertility, so that’s why I started taking it. I had no idea my sperm count would drop!” It’s Complicated Sure, testosterone is good for you. It’s critical for good overall health and for...Continue reading