The Pattern of Seminal Fluid Analysis among Male Partners Attending an Infertility Clinic in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution

Abstract

Background: Semen analysis has remained an objective, inexpensive and readily available means of assessing male factor infertility. Aim and Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of male infertility, the types and semen quality among infertile couples attending infertility clinic at UDUTH, Sokoto. Materials and Method: This is a retrospective study carried out between January, 2012 to December, 2016. All case notes of infertile patients managed were retrieved The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 20 and the results were presented in text, tables and charts. Results: Eight hundred and seventy-six out of 11,938 total gynaecological consultations over the study period were due to infertility, giving a prevalence of 7.3%. Among them, 34.4% (320) accounted for male factor infertility. The age ranged between 22 to 75 years with a mean of 37.44 years ± 7.44. Majority, 50.2% were within the ages of 35 -44 years and up to 73.8% of them had at least secondary education and were mostly, 39.7% civil servants. Up to 75.4% had sperm abnormalities, among which 65% (196/301) had primary infertility while, 35% (105/301) had secondary infertility. About half of them (47.5% (153/301)) had Azoospermia, 22.3% (67/301) Oligospermia and only 30.3% (91/301) had a normal sperm count. More than half of them, 121/227 (53.3% had multiple abnormalities). Conclusion: Male factor infertility contributes significantly to the burden of infertility in our environment. Therefore, there is the need to create awareness so that males fully participate in the evaluation, as the blames are mainly on the females.

Evidence-based assessment of male-only infertility: prevalence and associated risk factors in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…3 Therefore, semen analysis plays a vital role in evaluation of male factor infertility and it is usually the initial aspect of investigations in understanding the cause of infertility in males. 6,12 There are several causes of male infertility in the majority of cases but some cases especially those bothering around abnormal semen parameters are not completely known. 6,12 Some of the causes of male-factor infertility include congenital abnormalities such as cryptorchidism and chromosomal disorders, genital tract infections leading to obstructive azoospermia/ oligospermia/ teratospermia, or a combination of these.…”

“…6,12 There are several causes of male infertility in the majority of cases but some cases especially those bothering around abnormal semen parameters are not completely known. 6,12 Some of the causes of male-factor infertility include congenital abnormalities such as cryptorchidism and chromosomal disorders, genital tract infections leading to obstructive azoospermia/ oligospermia/ teratospermia, or a combination of these. Tuberculosis, gonococcal and chlamydia infections are also common factors frequently encountered in Port Harcourt as etiologies associated with male infertility.…”

Seminal fluid parameters of male partners of infertile couples seeking care at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

“…3 This arises from societal misconceptions which insinuates that failure to get pregnant connotes a female problem and the fact that some male partners equate adequate erection to fertility and therefore becomes elusive to investigations and treatment. 1,3 Infertility affects about 15-20% of couples and refers to the inability of a couple to achieve and sustain pregnancy ABSTRACT Background: Seminal fluid analysis is essential in the evaluation of the male partner of infertile couple. Available data suggest an increase in male-related factors among infertile couples seeking fertility treatment.…”

“…after at least one year of regular unprotected penetrative and ejaculatory vaginal intercourse with an adult of opposite sex. 1,3 The causes could be attributed to either the female or male partner or both. The causes of male factor infertility may be classified as pre-testicular, testicular and post testicular factors.…”

“…The causes of male factor infertility may be classified as pre-testicular, testicular and post testicular factors. [1][2][3][4][5] These factors usually result from abnormalities in the semen quantity or quality, hence, seminal fluid analysis for deficiencies in semen quality and quantity may be used as a surrogate measure of male fecundity. 2,5,6 This analysis includes semen volume and pH, microscopy for sperm concentration, count, motility, morphology, vitality, debris and agglutination and leucocyte count.…”