Seroevidence Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection In Infertile Male And Its Association With Semen Quality In University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Given the lack of information concerning the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in male infertility, it has become imperative to analyse the quality of semen of male with seroevidence of antibody to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. A total of 156 male patients attending the Human Reproduction Research Programme/Invitro Fertililzation Centre of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City, Edo state were enrolled into this study. Standard semen analysis and serological investigation of Chlamydia trachomatis were done for each male patient according to the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases of WHO (1999). Chlamydia trachomatis antibody was found to be Seropositive in 37(24%) male patients. Standard semen analysis showed abnormality in the various semen parameters of the seropositive male patients. The Seminal fluid analysis of the Seropositive male patients had total average mean sperm morphology of 11.0% (normal), total sperm count (10.0×106) ml, motility (11.0%) vitality (17.0%) (live) and leucocyte count 1.5×106 ml lower than the average mean sperm morphology of 28.0%, vitality 63%, total sperm count (30.5×106ml), motility (61.0%) and leucocyte count (0.5×106ml) of the 28 age-matched male subject used as control (P<0.05). This study indicates that Chlamydia trachomatis may be an independent risk factor affecting semen quality of male and consequently infertility.

Key words: Serology, Chlamydia trachomatis, sperm quality.