Assessment of male infertility causes in patients treated at Ahvaz\'s Imam Khomeini Hospital infertility center

Background: Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve conception after one year of unprotected intercourse. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with infertility in men referred to the infertility center at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz. Methods: This descriptive study utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire during March 2016 to September 2019, involving 800 infertile couples with complete records. We extracted demographic data, including age, occupation, duration of infertility, smoking habits, surgical history, semen analysis, and sperm condition and quality from the files of these men referred to the IVF department. The collected details were systematically entered into an information form. Quantitative results are presented as mean±standard deviation, with differences of p<0.05 between groups deemed statistically significant. Results: In this study, the average age of the men referred for evaluation was 33.5 years. The analysis of semen quality revealed a mean semen volume of 2.34 mL, which falls within the acceptable range for normal ejaculate volume, typically defined as being greater than 1.4 mL. The average sperm count recorded was 16,365,000 per mL. Additionally, our study demonstrated that only 5.8% of the sperm exhibited normal morphology. Sperm motility, another key factor in male fertility, averaged at 9.24%, significantly lower than the normal standard. Regarding employment status, a significant majority of participants were employed (89%), while 11% were unemployed. The surgical history among the referred men primarily included varicocelectomy (n=108), hemorrhoid surgery (n=29), urinary tract procedures (n=28), testicular hernia repairs (n=23), and appendectomies (n=18). Additionally, 24% of the subjects reported drug use, with a notable distinction made between smoking and other forms of drug use. Conclusion: The findings from this study underscore significant concerns regarding male fertility among the referred men, particularly in terms of sperm count, motility, and morphology. These metrics suggest that many individuals may face challenges in achieving conception without medical intervention. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective treatment plans and improving reproductive outcomes for men facing infertility issues.