Seminal parameters among patients visiting infertility clinic at the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Seminal fluid analysis is the initial investigation for any couple presenting with either primary or secondary infertility. In this study, we aim to study the seminal fluid parameters among Bhutanese patients who presented at the infertility clinic for an initial seminal fluid examination. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Infertility Clinic of the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan from January to December 2022. Using the census sampling technique, data on seminal parameters of 304 patients was extracted from the clinic’s register. A descriptive analysis of frequencies and percentages on the above data was performed using IBM Corp’s SPSS version 26.0, Armonk, NY). Results: The result showed that the majority 217(70.4%) of the patients who came for semen analysis were in the age range between 30 and 39 years. Among 304 patients examined, 72(23.7%) showed normal semen parameters while 232(76.3%) displayed abnormalities in their semen parameters. These abnormalities were further categorised as follows: Azoospermia 14(4.6%), Oligozoospermia 109(35.9%), Asthenozoospermia 23(7.6%) and 86(28.2%) cases were Oligoasthenozoospermia. Conclusions: This study provides a scientific data for the first time regarding seminal parameters of patients that visited infertility clinics. This data can serve as a reliable reference and valuable source of evidence for clinicians and future researchers. As the pioneering study of its kind in the country, this study generates fundamental evidence-based data for the global scientific community as well, promoting sustained research involvement in the field of reproductive medicine over the long run.

Keywords

• Infertility;
• Parameters;
• Semen.