Seminal fluid indices of men attending infertility clinic at St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, Nigeria (1994-1998).

The result of seminal fluid analysis of 628 men attending an infertility clinic in Onitsha, between 1994-1998; were collated and analysed. The result showed that 62.7% (n = 3394) had normal sperm density, while 37% (n = 234) of the men, had sperm density less than 20 million per ml ejaculate. 6.2% (n = 39) of these patients were azoospermic. 44% (n = 270) of these patients had sperm motility that was less than 50% while 20.5% (n = 129) of the samples contained pathogens, with commonest pathogen being staphylococus aureus in 46% (n = 60) of the sampled patients with pathogens. This high rate of oligospermia and azoospermia calls for proper education of the populace as regards, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections. Also, there is the urgent need to establish centres for assisted reproduction, which will help in solving the already overwhelming problem of infertility in our community.

The place of autotransfusion in management of ectopic pregnancy--10 years experience.

Between the period January 1989 to December 1998, a total of 119 cases of ectopic gestations and 11 389 deliveries were managed. The incidence of ectopic gestation was 1.04%, or one in 96 deliveries. Tubal gestation constituted 97.47% (n = 116), while abdominal and ovarian gestation were 1.68% (n = 2) and 0.84% (n = 1) respectively. The age range was 16-42 years, with mean age of 27 years. The modal age group was 26-30 years; 10.18% (n = 12) were associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom in 96% (n = 98) while abdominal and cervical excitation tenderness occurred in 97.10% and 72.6%, respectively. Autotransfusion was used in correction of anaemia in 62.75% (n = 64) while 37.25% (n = 38) received both autotransfusion and donated homologous blood. Maternal death rate was 0.84% (n = 1).