TITLE:
The Effect of Age on Male Infertility in Gabon
AUTHORS:
Makoyo Komba Opheelia, Lionel Wildy Moungala, Ulysse Minkobame, Pamphile Assoumou, Alain Boulende, Jean Francois Meye
KEYWORDS:
Gabon, Infertility, Semen Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.11 No.4,
November
17,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Male age significantly affects semen parameters. However, there is no evidence on the impact of
aging on semen quality in men residing in Libreville, Gabon. Objective: To determine the effects of age on semen quality of patients visiting the Reproductive Laboratory at the Academic Hospital Mère
Enfant located in Libreville, Gabon. Methods: This descriptive and prospective study was performed between the 1st of
October 2021 and 30st of September 2022. This study involved patients who had
semen analysis as part of fertility check-up. Semen analysis was
performed following the World Health
Organization, 2010 guidelines. Semen parameters such as volume,
leucocytes count, sperm concentration, sperm motility, norml morphology and
vitality were used in the current study. Descriptive statistics were performed.
The Chi-square test and the Fisher test were used as statistical tools for the
analysis of data. The ROC curve was used to illustrate the data. Results: A
total of 148 patients were included in the study. Male infertility prevalence
was 77.03%. The average age was 41 years with minimum and maximum of 24 and 61
years respectively. Secondary infertility was predominant (66.9%). Patients
displaying asthenozoospermia (22.3%) followed by those displaying oligoasthenozoospermia (OAT) isolated (1.4%) or not (11.6%)
were the most frequent semen parameter abnormalities. Men aged more than 45
years were 4.4 times likely to have abnormal semen parameters. Odd = 4.4 (IC
95% = [3.3 - 14.7]). Staphylococcus haemolyticus infection was more
prevalent. Conclusion: Male age was found to significantly influence
semen quality.