article · Highland Medical Research Journal
Infertility affects many couples across sub-Saharan Africa, with male factors accounting for nearly half of cases in Nigeria. An assessment of two hundred infertile men attending a teaching hospital in Jos evaluated scrotal ultrasound examinations alongside semen analysis. Abnormalities were identified in nearly half of the men examined, with varicocele emerging as the most frequent condition, followed by hydrocele, epididymal cysts, epididymal enlargement, testicular microlithiasis, and testicular tumours. Ultrasound measurements also established a significant positive correlation between testicular volume and total sperm count. While smaller testicular volume correlated with lower sperm counts, the measurements showed no significant difference between men experiencing primary infertility and those with secondary infertility. The findings confirm that routine scrotal ultrasound can consistently identify structural abnormalities linked to male reproductive impairment.
Male infertility represents a major healthcare challenge, yet identifying the underlying physical causes often requires specialized diagnostic support. Demonstrating clear links between non-invasive scrotal ultrasound findings and sperm counts helps healthcare providers understand how structural conditions, such as varicoceles, correspond with semen quality, reinforcing the role of standard imaging in male reproductive evaluations.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it reports observational clinical findings using standard diagnostic ultrasound rather than a new technology or product.
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Background: Infertility affects 20-46% of couples in sub-Saharan Africa, with male factors accounting for 40-50% of cases in Nigeria. This study aimed to identify sonographically detectable causes of male infertility at Jos University Teaching Hospital, focusing on scrotal pathologies, testicular volume, and sperm count. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 200 infertile men was conducted over 14 months (September 2016 - November 2017) at the Radiology Department of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Participants underwent scrotal ultrasound examinations using GE Logiq 5 Expert and Logiq V5 machines with 10 MHz linear transducers. Seminal fluid analysis and testicular volume measurements were correlated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05, employing Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Pearson's correlation tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 39.09 ± 6.57 years. Ultrasound findings were normal in 50.5%, while 49.5% exhibited abnormalities, predominantly varicocele (29.2%). Other abnormalities included hydrocele (9.9%), epididymal cysts (4.7%), epididymal enlargement (1.9%), testicular microlithiasis (1.9%), and testicular tumors (1.9%). A significant positive correlation was observed between testicular volume and total sperm count (r = 0.561, p = 0.001). No significant difference in testicular volume was found between men with primary and secondary infertility. Conclusion: Sonographic evaluation revealed scrotal abnormalities in infertile men, with varicocele being the most common. Testicular volume correlates positively with sperm count, but no difference exists in testicular volume between primary and secondary infertility cases.
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DOI: 10.4314/hmrj.v25i1.5
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