The most common features that threaten the health of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are lung and pancreatic problems.
Reproductive concerns are also important to patients, however, and CF can significantly affect a man's fertility potential.
Nearly all men with CF will have congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD).
This means that the vas deferens is missing on both sides of the scrotum because it has failed to develop properly.
The vas deferens is a small muscular tube that begins in the scrotum and continues up behind the bladder, eventually ending in the prostate.
It carries sperm away from the testicle so they end up in the semen when a man ejaculates.
(A common surgical procedure called a vasectomy is done for a man when he wishes to have a permanent form of birth control. This procedure involves removing a portion of the vas deferens.)
Men with CF generally do not have a problem producing sperm.
Rather because of the obstruction caused by the missing vas deferens the sperm cannot reach the semen.
Some forms of obstruction are surgically correctable but this form of obstruction caused by the missing vas deferens is not surgically correctable.
Men with CF and CBAVD therefore are unable to have their own biologic children through intercourse.
Female reproduction
The exact incidence of infertility in adult females with CF is not known but is thought to be about 20%.
The anatomy of their reproductive tract is perfectly normal, but thick mucus prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg.
Advanced respiratory disease and poor nutrition also contribute to the decreased fertility.
In female Cystic Fibrosis patients the whole body process of a baby could give a huge decline in her overall health.
