Factors Associated with Male Sub-fertility among Couples Attending Subfertility Clinics in a Tertiary Care Center in Southern Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Despite recent experiments and interventions in the field of reproductive health, male subfertility has emerged as a serious global problem. Studies focusing on the causes of male sub-fertility in Sri Lanka are extremely scarce. Objectives: To investigate the relationships between various etiologies and male sub-fertility in a tertiary care centre in Southern Sri Lanka Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among subfertile males who attended the sub- fertility clinics in Teaching Hospital Mahamodara, Sri Lanka, from the 01st of July to the 31st of December 2023. A convenience sampling technique was used to enrol 50 subfertile men in the study. A self-developed, validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Semen samples were collected from each participant after 3-5 days of abstinence, and basic semen analysis was performed according to the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition (2021). In addition, 5 mL of blood was collected from each participant, and fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, and HbA1c were performed. A bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) scan was performed on each participant for the measurement of body fat. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: The age distribution of the study participants was ranged from 26 to 45 years. Of the total, 56.0% (n=28) were presented with a BMI above the normal range. BIA analysis revealed very high body fat levels in 48.0% (n=24) study participants, while 28.0% (n=14) were presented with high visceral fat levels. Among the study participants, 20.0% (n=10) were presented with high FBS levels and high HbA1C results, while 66.0% (n=33) were presented with high total cholesterol. Moreover, 44.0% (n=22) were reported using mobile phones for more than four hours per day, and 10% (n=5) were reported using laptops for more than two hours per day. However, a statistically significant correlation could not be observed between sperm parameters (motility, morbidity, and viability) and FBS, HbA1c, and lipid parameters. Conclusions: Any correlation between sperm parameters and FBS, HbA1c, and lipid parameters of the study participants could not be observed using Pearson correlation