Study on Semen Quality among Men Seeking Infertility Treatment in Tamale, Ghana

Background: Standard semen analysis is the surrogate measure of male fertility in clinical practice. According to recent studies, there is a slight increase in percentage of couples who are facing infertility problems globally. This study determined the semen quality trends of men seeking infertility treatment in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study with data from archival records over a period of six years; from January 2015 to December 2020.

Results: A total of 785 semen analysis reports of men seeking infertility treatment over a period of 6 years were considered. In all, 187 (23.82%) had normozoospermia, 347 (44.20%) had oligozoospermia, and 251 (31.97%) had azoospermia. Out of the 785 subjects, 344 (57.91%) had abnormal semen parameters even though their semen volume was normal. Percentage abnormal motility, morphology and viability rose sturdily from 5.74%, 8.14%, and 12.59 in 2015 through 20.87%, 18.77%, 19.85% in 2017 to 26.85%, 27.95 and 21.55 respectively in 2020. Abnormal pH and volume also rose from 8% and 8.59 in 2015 to 23.69 and 24.91 respectively in 2020.

The highest variances were seen in the age group 31-40 years (p<0.0001). Males with hypospermia were 56% less likely to have abnormal sperm concentration than those with hyperspermia (OR=0.44; 95% CI=0.23–0.83; p=0.012).

Conclusion: This study shows a high rate of abnormal semen quality of male partners of infertile couples. The trend of oligozoospermia increased during the past six years while the trend of normozoospermia remain fairly constant. Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia has increased consistently from 2015 to 2020, buttressing the fact that, male infertility is on the ascendancy.