Hatem Bahri1, Mustapha Ben Khalifa2,3, Maroua Ben Rhouma3, Zied Abidi1, Emna Abbassi1, Khémais Ben Rhouma3, Moncef Benkhalifa4,5. 1. HB Clinical Laboratory for Medical Analyses, Tunis, Tunisia. 2. Research laboratory LR99ES11, Department of Biochemistry, La Rabta Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia. 3. Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Science of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia. 4. Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology & Genetics, University Hospital & School of Medicine Jules Verne, Amiens, France. 5. Peritox Laboratory, CURS, Picardie University Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: According to numerous studies from around the world, semen quality seems to have declined dramatically in recent times. However, the data available on male fertility status and semen quality in North Africa are limited. AIM: To investigate the status of semen quality in North-African men and to understand its variations. SUBJECTS & METHODS: 20,958 sperm-analyses (Spermogram - Spermocytogram) of North-African men (19-77 years old) consulting for infertility, performed in a private laboratory of medical analyses (Tunis, Tunisia) over a period of 6 years (2013-2018), were investigated. All patients had at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse with their partners before the test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 software for windows. RESULTS: Libyan men presented a clear decline in all sperm parameters. A continuous decline in sperm morphology quality was shown in Tunisian and Algerian men. Mauritanian men presented a significant increase in sperm vitality with pseudo-stability in the rest of the sperm parameters during the whole study period. CONCLUSION: North-African men presented remarkable decreases in their semen quality over the last decade. This data could confirm possible global common-causes that need to be identified in order to limit their negative impact on sperm quality, and consequently on male-fertility.
BACKGROUND: According to numerous studies from around the world, semen quality seems to have declined dramatically in recent times. However, the data available on male fertility status and semen quality in North Africa are limited. AIM: To investigate the status of semen quality in North-African men and to understand its variations. SUBJECTS & METHODS: 20,958 sperm-analyses (Spermogram - Spermocytogram) of North-African men (19-77 years old) consulting for infertility, performed in a private laboratory of medical analyses (Tunis, Tunisia) over a period of 6 years (2013-2018), were investigated. All patients had at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse with their partners before the test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 software for windows. RESULTS: Libyan men presented a clear decline in all sperm parameters. A continuous decline in sperm morphology quality was shown in Tunisian and Algerian men. Mauritanian men presented a significant increase in sperm vitality with pseudo-stability in the rest of the sperm parameters during the whole study period. CONCLUSION: North-African men presented remarkable decreases in their semen quality over the last decade. This data could confirm possible global common-causes that need to be identified in order to limit their negative impact on sperm quality, and consequently on male-fertility.
Entities:
Keywords:
North Africa; Semen quality; WHO criteria’s; male-fertility; regional specificity