Causes in either sex

Factors that can cause male as well as female infertility are:

• Genetic factors
  • A Robertsonian translocation in either partner may cause recurrent spontaneous abortions or complete infertility.
• General factors
  • Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disease
• Hypothalamic-pituitary factors
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • Hypopituitarism
  • The presence of anti-thyroid antibodies is associated with an increased risk of unexplained subfertility with an odds ratio of 1.5 and 95% confidence interval of 1.1–2.0
• Environmental factors
  • Toxins such as glues, volatile organic solvents or silicones, physical agents, chemical dusts, and pesticides. Tobacco smokers are 60% more likely to be infertile than non-smokers.

German scientists have reported that a virus called Adeno-associated virus might have a role in male infertility, though it is otherwise not harmful. Mutation that alters human DNA adversely can cause infertility, the human body thus preventing the tainted DNA from being passed on