The need for clinical evaluation and semen analysis of infertile men.

OBJECTIVE

Although many men in Third World countries are reluctant to participate in an infertility work-up, we collected data from a group of husbands of females attending our infertility clinic. We intend to present these results as motivation for other men to realize the importance of an evaluation when they are involved in a barren marriage.

STUDY METHODS

A detailed history was taken, and physical and urogenital examination was carried out on 400 male partners of women attending the infertility clinic of PGIMER Chandigarh. Semen analysis was interpreted as normal or abnormal according to the WHO manual.

RESULTS

Age of the male partners of 400 infertile couples and their duration of infertility correlated with the pregnancy rate. Fifty percent of the men with a past history of infection, medical or surgical problems had abnormal semen analysis. The presence of urogenital abnormalities had a significant correlation with low sperm count and low motility. Social problems related to alcohol and smoking produced low pregnancy rates.

CONCLUSION

A detailed history, examination and work-up of male partners of infertility couples is as important as in the female partner. Counseling and treatment may improve pregnancy rates.