Etiology and Toxic Factors Involved in Male Infertility in Western Algeria

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the main etiology of male infertility and to assess the toxic factors responsible for this condition. We conducted a cross section study in a period of one year, starting from January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2014, on 320 patients consulting for fertility disorder at the Medical Assisted Procreation Unit (MAP) of Oran, in Western Algeria. The patients were interviewed using questionnaire inquiring about their demographics, general health issues, lifestyles and infertility factors. The results that the average age of patients was 40.39± 7.59 years; more than 73% of them were 35 years of age or older. The infertility was of primary type in 82% of patients; the average duration of infertility was 5.20± 3.79 years. Regarding the different etiology of male infertility, 29% of the patients had an idiopathic cause; 24% were due to varicocele and 22% were linked to genital tract infection. The study showed that toxic factors and life style that may impair male fertility concerned mainly advanced age group of men over 35 years (73.42%), tobacco smokers (70%), overweight men (62%) or occupational exposure to high heat (35.5%). Our conclusion is to educate infertile men so as to raise their awareness to the high risk factors such as toxic factors and lifestyle to enhance the natural fertility. We believe that this will allow better assessment and management of male infertility. We conclude that because of high idiopathic infertility rate, a further study using more patients is necessary.