Semen Profile of Men Presenting with Infertility at First Fertility Hospital Makurdi, North Central Nigeria

Background: There is a paucity of information regarding male infertility, where data exist, fertility estimates heavily depends on socio-demographic household surveys on female factor. In an attempt to generate reliable male infertility data using scientific methods, our study assessed the seminal profile of men. Aim: The study aimed at determining the pattern of semen profile and its relationship with semen concentration in male partners of infertile couples. Materials and Methods: the cross-sectional study involved 600 male partners of infertile couples from June 2015 To December 2017. Frequency percentages of socio-demographics, sexual history/co-morbidities, and semen parameters were determined. The association of semen concentration with other semen parameters, socio-demographics, and sexual history/co-morbidities was also determined. Results: asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia were the commonest seminal abnormalities observed, followed by oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Primary infertility (67%) was higher than secondary infertility (33%). Leukospermia was observed in 58.5% of male partners. No significant (p>0.05) association was observed between socio-demographics, co-morbidities, and semen concentration. History of sexually transmitted infections (p<0.05) and other semen parameters (p<0.005) were significantly associated with semen concentration. Conclusion: Our study found significant abnormal semen quality, which may contribute to male factor infertility. Scientific studies are needed to investigate factors causing the high rate of primary male infertility and male infertility in our environment. This will enable infertile couple’s access treatment to improve fertility rates.