The role of abnormal body weight and plasma lipids in male Infertility in iIorin, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the relationship between plasma lipids, body mass index (BMI) and fertility status, in husbands of women undergoing investigation for infertility.
Methods: Fourty-seven men, who were the husbands of women that attended our Infertility Clinic, were recruited for this study. The subjects seminal fluid were analysed using standard criteria. Fasting blood samples were also analysed for plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated was from the subjects\' body weight and height. Mean values and percentage were compared using student t-test and chi square, respectively.
Results: Twenty-three subjects (48.9%) had oligosperimia, while 11 (23.4%) were azoospermic. The mean plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride were 3.8mmol/L + 0.8 and 0.9mmol/L + 0.6 respectively. The mean BMI was 24.0Kg/m2 + 4.0. Subjects with low or high BMI had poorer spermogram. This was worse in those in the 30-39 years age bracket. However, the differences in mean values of seminal fluid analyses in the different age groups were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: In conclusion, subjects with both extremes of BMI had poor spermograms. There were no abnormalities in the plasma TC and TG.

Keywords: Male infertility, Spermogram, Body mass index

Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 93-96