Animal modeling methods for oligospermia: A review

Oligospermia, characterized by a low sperm count in semen, is a major cause of male infertility and may result from various factors including infections, lifestyle choices, retrograde ejaculation, tumors, hormonal imbalances, drug treatments, and environmental exposures. Animal models play a crucial role in understanding its pathophysiology, identifying therapeutic targets, and evaluating potential treatments. The current review highlights experimental models used to induce oligospermia in laboratory animals, focusing on chemical, surgical, and radiation-based approaches. We review the reversible and irreversible methods commonly employed to study impaired spermatogenesis, along with the key endpoints used to assess testicular function and sperm quality. Standard housing and feeding conditions relevant to oligospermia research are also summarized to support reproducibility and methodological consistency in experimental designs.