Abnormalities of semen parameters among male partners of infertile couples in a sub-urban tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a common reason for gynecological clinic visits in Nigeria. Men contribute significantly to the cause of infertility; however male factor infertility remain underreported compared to commonly reported female factor infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the abnormalities of semen parameters among male partners of infertile couples in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 285 semen samples of male partners of infertile couples was conducted at Irrua specialist teaching hospital. The laboratory staff carried out analysis of the semen samples using set parameters outlined by the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Socio-demographic data of the participants was also taken in a proforma. The data obtained was then analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: The age range of participants in this study was 20 to 65 years, with a mean age of 33.38 years. A total of 80.7% of the cases reviewed had one or more abnormal semen parameters. In 45.6%, 51.6%, and 47.0% of the analyzed samples, sperm cell count, morphology and total motility were below the WHO reference level, respectively. The severe forms of abnormal semen analysis findings detected in this study were asthenozoospermia (47%), oligozoospermia (15.8%), azoospermia (45.6%), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (15.5%). There was also statistically significant finding of rising cases of oligospermia with increasing age among the participantsConclusions: Male factor infertility although grossly under reported, contributes significantly to the burden of infertility in our setting. There is a need to raise awareness so that men are properly evaluated and treated.