The prevalence of risk factors and seminal fluid abnormalities in infertile men in Babylon Province

Background: Male infertility is a global health issue with multifactorial origin of medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of risk factors and seminal fluid abnormalities in infertile men in Babylon Province, Iraq.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 infertile men were recruited for the study and the prevalence of male infertility risk factors including varicocele, smoking, obesity, cryptorchidism, systemic diseases, and genital tract infections was determined. All patients underwent seminal fluid analysis according to World Health Organization (WHO) 5th criteria to assess the prevalence of seminal abnormalities such as oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia, azoospermia, and their combination.
Results: Varicocele was the most common risk factor affecting 64% of participants followed by obesity (42%) and smoking (38%). Genital tract infections and systemic diseases were present in 16% and 35% of patients respectively. Seminal fluid abnormalities were prevalent with oligoasthenospermia observed in 32% of participants and azoospermia in 19%. Mean sperm concentration in infertile men was 28.1 ± 23.5 million/mL, progressive motility 24.1 ± 16.8%, and normal morphology 5.6 ± 4.2%.
Conclusion: Several modifiable risk factors such as varicocele, cryptorchidism, obesity, systemic diseases, smoking and genital infections are prevalent among Iraqi men with infertility. The most common seminal fluid abnormalities in these patients comprised oligoasthenospermia, azoospermia and oligospermia. Addressing these modifiable risk factors and seminal fluid abnormalities could enhance fertility outcomes in Iraqi men with infertility.