Seminal Fluid Indices Of Male Partners Of Infertile Couples In Uyo, Nigeria

Am Abasiattai,Nm Utuk,Ej Udoma,Aj Umoiyoho

doi:10.4314/gjcm.v2i1-2.47927

Abstract

This retrospective study analyzes the seminal fluid indices of 633 male partners of infertile couples at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital over a four year period. All the laboratory records on seminal fluid analysis between 1st January 2003 and 31st December 2006 were reviewed. The seminal fluid characteristics of the patients were determined and the abnormalities classified according to the World health organisation guidelines. Five hundred (79.0%) of the men had abnormal seminal fluid parameters. About 56.0% of the subjects were asthenozoospermic, 38.9% were oligozoospermic, 2.8% had teratozoospermia while 7.0% had azoospermia. The significant contribution of the male factor to infertility in our environment is highlighted. The need for the encouragement of male partners of infertile couples to avail themselves for proper infertility evaluation and the advantages of early detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections in men is stressed. KEY WORDS: Male infertility, seminal fluid indices, Uyo

Highlights

In sub-Saharan Africa, infertility still remains a major disaster for couples and a serious social and reproductive health problem (Okonofua, 1999, Abasiattai et al 2007)
This study shows that poor semen quality is a major contributor to infertility in our environment as seven out of every ten male partners of infertile couples had some form of seminal fluid abnormality
This rate of semen abnormalities which is higher than those reported from other centers (Idrisa et al 2001, Esimai et al 2002, Adeniji et al 2003) may not be entirely representative of what obtains in our environment as Nigerian men are usually uncooperative and very reluctant to subject themselves for evaluation believing that fertility failure management is the sole responsibility of the female (Anate and Akeredolu 1994, Olatunji and Sule-Odu 2003)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In sub-Saharan Africa, infertility still remains a major disaster for couples and a serious social and reproductive health problem (Okonofua, 1999, Abasiattai et al 2007). Semen analysis remains the most important single test in evaluating the male factor in infertility (Ibekwe and Attah 2006, Idrisa et al 2001). A properly performed semen analysis provides a wide spectrum of information reflecting the spermatogenetic and steroidogenetic functions of the testis and the integrity of the male genital tract (Ibekwe and Attah 2006). This may lead to identification of the probable cause(s) of the. Abasiattai, Department of Obstetrics &Gynaecology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria. Due to paucity of data on male infertility in Akwa Ibom state, this study was undertaken to analyse the seminal fluid indices of male partners of infertile couples in our center

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION