[Male infertility and reproductive dysfunction: clinical aspects of the use of terms and definitions from the Russian Society of Urology guidelines].

The practical use of terms presented in the Russian Society of Urology clinical guidelines "Male Infertility" is discussed in the article. Male infertility is caused by conditions that lead to impaired reproductive function and inability to conceive: sexual dysfunction and anatomical defects that prevent sperm delivery, azoospermia, cryptozoospermia, functional insufficiency of spermatozoa and of the genetic material they contain, such as 100%- astheno-, necro-, and globozoospermia, etc. Signs of insufficient reproductive function (reproductive dysfunction) in partners may include relative infertility in a couple, miscarriage in the spouse, and failure of treatment using assisted reproductive technologies. Male fertility can be negatively affected by risk factors including diseases, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures; the probability of conception can be judged by continuously distributed values of reproductive function indicators characterizing sexual activity, ejaculate parameters, functional competence of spermatozoa, and the quality of the genetic material they contain. Unified views on terminology ensure standardization of diagnostic and treatment approaches and provide a basis for interdisciplinary interaction in couple infertility.