Seminal Analysis as a Tool to Determine the Infertility Prevalence among Men Reported to Infertility Clinic in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of male infertility among men that attended the infertility clinic of Green Care Medical Consultants, in Port Harcourt such that those with severe seminal parameters were referred for assisted conception. Methods: A retrospective review of couples managed for infertility in this clinic was conducted. The case notes of couples managed for infertility over five years’ period between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2016 were retrieved. Semen collection, processing and analysis were carried out as per WHO standards. Results: The results of the semen analysis of 382 male partners of the infertile couples were retrieved and analyzed. The patterns of semen density noted in infertile males were normospermia, oligospermia and azoospermia, found in 52%, 46% and 3%, respectively. Morphological abnormalities (teratozoospermia) were observed in18.3% and motility abnormalities (asthenozoospermia) were found in 20.9%of the subjects. Other multiple abnormalities such as oligoteratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia were seen in 2.9%, 3.9% and 3.9% of subjects respectively. Rig workers and older patients 50-59 years had the highest percentage of azoospermia found in 6.45%, and 4,55% of cases respectively. There was a high level of bacterial infections in oligospermic semen. Conclusion: There is a high rate of abnormal semen quality of male partners of infertile couple in our environment and is an indication for the need to focus on the management of this condition and the institution of preventive program for male infertility.