It can identify specific obstacles to fertility and problems with your sperm. Experts differ on when genetic tests should be done.

Anti-Sperm Antibodies

Some men make abnormal antibodies that attack the sperm on the way to the egg, which keeps your partner from getting pregnant.

For other guys, making sperm isn't the problem: It's getting the sperm where they need to go. Men with these conditions have normal sperm in their testicles, but the sperm in semen are either missing, in low numbers, or abnormal.

There are several reasons you might have low sperm in your semen even if your body makes enough of it:

Retrograde ejaculation. In this condition, your sperm ejaculates backward, into your bladder. It's usually caused by an earlier surgery.

You're missing the main sperm pipeline (the vas deferens). It's a genetic problem. Some men are born without a main pipeline for sperm.

Obstruction. There can be a blockage anywhere between the testicles and the penis.

Anti-sperm antibodies. As mentioned, they attack your sperm on the way to the egg.

"Idiopathic" infertility. It's a fancy way of saying there isn't any cause your doctor can identify for your abnormal or low sperm count.

Don't hesitate to get tests to check your fertility. When you and your partner do this, it will help you figure out what's going on, and let you learn about treatment.