[Association between bronchial dilatation and male sterility].

Abstract

The frequency of associated bronchial dilatation and male sterility is sufficiently high for simple coincidence to be discounted. Initially observed in patients with Kartagener's syndrome, an abnormal frequency of bronchial disorders (with or without ectasia)M was then noted in subjects with azoospermia, especially of the excretory type. Originally proposed by AFZELIUS et al in 1975, an explanation for the association could be the presence of ultrastructural anomalies of the cilia, both in the bronchial mucosa and in the single cilium of the spermatozoid. Other physiopathological explanations for this association, characterized by a motility disorder (mucociliary or spermatic), include secretory anomalies as in mucoviscidosis and acquired anomalies (major role of infection in bronchial affections, role of tobacco). Practical consequences of this association are discussed.