Abstract

EVALUATION OF SOME MICRONUTRIENT LEVELS AMONG INFERTILE MALES ATTENDING FERTILITY CLINIC IN IMO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ORLU

Chioma Patricia Ukaga, D. C. Nwosu, U. C. Edward, Chidiebere Sandra Okoroigwe, Deborah Orji, Egbeonu Nwamaka and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder influenced by several factors, including micronutrient deficiencies and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate micronutrient levels and sperm quality in infertile males attending the fertility clinic in Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. The study population comprised two hundred (200) confirmed infertile males and two hundred (200) apparently healthy fertile males who served as the control group. Semen samples were collected after 2 to 5 days of abstinence through masturbation into sterile, wide-mouthed containers and analyzed according to WHO guidelines. Data obtained in this study was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. The results showed significantly lower mean levels of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B12 (p=0.000 for all) in infertile men (66.58±11.87 µg/dL, 0.79±0.29 mg/dL, 8.69±3.01 mg/dL, and 414.04±141.33 pg/mL, respectively) compared to controls (92.96±15.42 µg/dL, 1.29±0.45 mg/dL, 12.10±4.35 mg/dL, and 610.83±210.46 pg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, this study revealed significantly lower levels of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B12 in infertile males compared to fertile controls.

Keywords: micronutrient, infertile males, fertility.