Comprehensive Semen Analysis: A Single-Centre Audit of 299 Samples

Abstract

Introduction Infertility affects 13% to 15% of the couples worldwide. The problem of infertility can have varying effects, depending on the physical and mental health of the couple, ultimately influencing the environment and the overall growth of society. Analysis of a semen sample may lead to various defects in the semen quality and quantity like azoospermia, which means the absence of spermatozoa in the semen ejaculate. Conversely, in oligospermia, the sperm count in the semen ejaculate is low. Micro-organisms, pus cells etc indicate infection in semen and hence can point towards existing infection causing oligospermia. Hence, this study was done to highlight the importance of semen analysis in hospitals and to present a detailed audit of the semen analysed at the tertiary care centre. Materials and methods This is a cross – sectional study where data of 3 years from 2020-to 2023 was collected and tabulated under the reported headings - volume, appearance, motility, pus cells, and any other relevant findings at School of Medical Science and Research, Sharda University. A total of 299 semen samples were analysed. Results Total number of cases recorded were 299. Out of the total samples, 36.5% of the samples showed reduced motility. 1.7% samples had immotile sperms while reduced motility was seen in 8.4% cases. 24.7% cases showed some degree of abnormal forms (categorised by WHO criteria). 35% cases had pus cells above 5/hpf. Conclusion This study has demonstrated that abnormal semen analysis, especially, in terms of sperm quantity, quality, and bacterial infection is a major factor in infertile male having abnormal semen parameters.

Keywords

• Infertility, semen analysis, motility, pus cells