The inability of the male to effect fertilization of an ovum after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility.

An abnormal reduction in the mobility of ejaculated sperm.

A lack of mobility of ejaculated sperm.

A left-right reversal (or "mirror reflection") of the anatomical location of the major thoracic and abdominal organs.

An abnormality in which the internal thoraco-abdominal organs demonstrate abnormal arrangement across the left-right axis of the body.

Persistent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi owing to localized and irreversible destruction and widening of the large airways.

Chronic inflammation of the bronchi.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a disorder characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections, abnormally positioned internal organs, and the inability to have children (infertility). The signs and symptoms of this condition are caused by abnormal cilia and flagella. Cilia are microscopic, finger-like projections that stick out from the surface of cells. They are found in the linings of the airway, the reproductive system, and other organs and tissues. Flagella are tail-like structures, similar to cilia, that propel sperm cells forward.\n\nIn the respiratory tract, cilia move back and forth in a coordinated way to move mucus towards the throat. This movement of mucus helps to eliminate fluid, bacteria, and particles from the lungs. Most babies with primary ciliary dyskinesia experience breathing problems at birth, which suggests that cilia play an important role in clearing fetal fluid from the lungs. Beginning in early childhood, affected individuals develop frequent respiratory tract infections. Without properly functioning cilia in the airway, bacteria remain in the respiratory tract and cause infection. People with primary ciliary dyskinesia also have year-round nasal congestion and a chronic cough. Chronic respiratory tract infections can result in a condition called bronchiectasis, which damages the passages, called bronchi, leading from the windpipe to the lungs and can cause life-threatening breathing problems.\n\nApproximately 12 percent of people with primary ciliary dyskinesia have a condition known as heterotaxy syndrome or situs ambiguus, which is characterized by abnormalities of the heart, liver, intestines, or spleen. These organs may be structurally abnormal or improperly positioned. In addition, affected individuals may lack a spleen (asplenia) or have multiple spleens (polysplenia). Heterotaxy syndrome results from problems establishing the left and right sides of the body during embryonic development. The severity of heterotaxy varies widely among affected individuals.\n\nSome individuals with primary ciliary dyskinesia have abnormally placed organs within their chest and abdomen. These abnormalities arise early in embryonic development when the differences between the left and right sides of the body are established. About 50 percent of people with primary ciliary dyskinesia have a mirror-image reversal of their internal organs (situs inversus totalis). For example, in these individuals the heart is on the right side of the body instead of on the left. Situs inversus totalis does not cause any apparent health problems. When someone with primary ciliary dyskinesia has situs inversus totalis, they are often said to have Kartagener syndrome.\n\nPrimary ciliary dyskinesia can also lead to infertility. Vigorous movements of the flagella are necessary to propel the sperm cells forward to the female egg cell. Because their sperm do not move properly, males with primary ciliary dyskinesia are usually unable to father children. Infertility occurs in some affected females and is likely due to abnormal cilia in the fallopian tubes.\n\nAnother feature of primary ciliary dyskinesia is recurrent ear infections (otitis media), especially in young children. Otitis media can lead to permanent hearing loss if untreated. The ear infections are likely related to abnormal cilia within the inner ear.\n\nRarely, individuals with primary ciliary dyskinesia have an accumulation of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), likely due to abnormal cilia in the brain.

A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation.

A high-pitched whistling sound associated with labored breathing.

An increased susceptibility to pneumonia as manifested by a history of recurrent episodes of pneumonia.

Increased discharge of mucus from the nose.

An increased susceptibility to respiratory infections as manifested by a history of recurrent respiratory infections.

Any anomaly of the normal motility of motile cilia. Evaluation of ciliary beat frequency and ciliary beat pattern requires high-speed videomicroscopy of freshly obtained ciliary biopsies that are maintained in culture media under controlled conditions.

Abnormal arrangement of the structures of the axoneme, which is the cytoskeletal structure that forms the inner core of the motile cilium and displays a canonical 9+2 microtubular pattern of motile cilia studded with dynein arms.

Absence of the inner dynein arms of respiratory motile cilia, which normally are situated within the peripheral microtubules of motile cilia. This feature is usually appreciated by electron microscopy.

Respiratory difficulty as newborn.

Inflammation or infection of the middle ear.

A chronic form of sinusitis.

Polysplenia is a congenital disease manifested by multiple small accessory spleens.