Trends in semen parameters of infertile men in South Africa and Nigeria

There are conflicting reports on trends of semen parameters from different parts of the globe. However, in recent times there is dearth of information on the trend in Sub-Saharan countries. Therefore, in this study we aimed at determining the trends in semen parameters in Nigeria and South Africa between 2010 and 2019. A retrospective study of semen analyses of 17,292 men attending fertility hospitals in Nigeria and South Africa in 2010, 2015 and 2019. Patients who had undergone vasectomy and those who had a pH less than 5 or greater than 10 were excluded from this study. The following variables were assessed: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, total progressively motile sperm count (TPMSC), total sperm count, and normal sperm morphology. Between 2010 and 2019, significant trends of decreasing values were observed in normal sperm morphology (− 50%), and the ejaculatory volume (− 7.4%), indicating a progressive deterioration of the values in both countries. In Nigeria, there were significant decreases in progressive motility (− 87%), TPMSC (− 78%), and sperm morphology (− 55%) between 2010 and 2019 (P < 0.001). Spearman`s rank correlation revealed significant negative associations between age and morphology (ρ =  − 0.24, P < 0.001), progressive motility (ρ =  − 0.31. P < 0.001), and TPMSC (ρ =  − 0.32, P < 0.001). Patients in South Africa were younger than those from Nigeria, with also a significantly higher sperm morphology, sperm concentration, progressive motility, total sperm count and TPMSC. Our findings provide a quantitative evidence of an alarming decreasing trend in semen parameters in Nigeria and South Africa from 2010 to 2019. It also proves that astheno- and teratozoospermia are the leading causes of male infertility in these regions. In addition to this, it also shows empirically that semen parameters decrease with advancement in age. These findings are the first report of temporal trends in semen parameters in Sub-Saharan countries, necessitating a thorough investigation on the underlying factors promoting this worrisome decline

Audit of Congenital Fetal Anomalies as Seen on Ultrasound Scan in a Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Birth defects are becoming a major health problem in this part of the world. Early diagnosis helps to reduce the burden of perinatal mortality by availing practitioners and patients the option of abortion or prenatal intervention. This study seeks to evaluate the contribution of routine antenatal ultrasonography performed in this centre, to prenatal diagnosis of fetal structural defects. All pregnant women who were referred to the radiology department for obstetric scan from January 2000 to December 2007 were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 26.2 +/- 5 years, while the mean gestational age at examination was 28 weeks +/- 2 weeks. There were 8753 patients, and 64 congenital anomalies were correctly diagnosed. Polyhydramnious was associated with the majority (48.44%) of congenital anomalies diagnosed, while 12.5% had oligohydramnious. Twenty five (39.06%) of them had normal amniotic fluid volume. Neural tube defects were the commonest type of anomalies, followed by gastrointestinal and renal defects. Most facial, chromosomal and cardiac defects were missed. To improve the diagnosing ability for fetal congenital anomalies, sonologists must be properly trained and the number of patients seen per clinic must be restricted to that which the sonologist would conveniently cope with. Early antenatal scan will improve the detection rate. Keywords: Congenital anomalies, Ultrasound scan, Teaching hospital, Nigeria Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 61-6

Fetus-in-fetu

Introduction: Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a pathological condition in which the malformed foetus is found in the body of its twin. We report this rare case of a 3-monthold female baby whose diagnostic work-up suggested a mesenteric cyst but the mass at surgery was a FIF. Discussion: Although current imaging modalities like computerized Tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have a higher Sensitivity for accurate delineation of tissues, cheaper imaging alternatives like plain abdomen and ultrasonography still have a place in the preoperative work-up of FIF Keywords: Fetus-in-fetu, intraabdominal mass, operative diagnosis, teratoma, ultrasonographyAfrican Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 93-9

Ocular sonography: The experience in Lagos

No Abstract