Testicle removal: Does it impair male fertility?

Having a testicle removed doesn't necessarily make a man sterile. If the remaining testicle is healthy, it can still produce millions of sperm and sufficient amounts of testosterone to maintain fertility.

However, if the disease that caused removal of one testicle also affects the other testicle, infertility can occur. Diseases that can affect both testicles include leukemia and other cancers and generalized infections in the body.

About two-thirds of men with only one testicle are able to father children. A sperm count (semen analysis) can easily provide information about fertility potential.