Male factor in infertility: study from a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a condition with important psychological, economic, demographic and medical implications. Male infertility refers to a male’s inability to result pregnancy in a fertile female. Methods: The present hospital based study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Point Hospital, Bangalore. Duration of the study was for 6 months from October 2015 to March 2016. A total of 250 infertile couples couple coming for evaluation to the outpatient department (OPD) were selected in the study by convenient sampling technique. All infertile couples in the study were preliminarily investigated to rule out male factor in infertility. Semen analysis was done as a primary investigation procedure. Results: The overall prevalence of abnormal sperm count in the present study was found to be 34.4%; of which one fourth had oligospermia, 8.4% had Azoospermia and 1.2% had asthenozoospermia. Study found a significant association between type of occupation, obesity and alcohol addiction with abnormal sperm count. Conclusions: High prevalence of male factor in infertility was noted in the present study. Refraining from addictions, certain life style changes including exercise and timely medical attention can address the issue.