Pattern of Biochemical Infertility Among Female Partners of Infertile Couples A Four Years Review at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71396/34dz0n26Keywords:
Biochemical Infertility, Female Partners, Couples, Private Hospital set-up, AbujaAbstract
Background: Infertility is a significant global health and socio-psychological burden, affecting an estimated 60–80 million couples worldwide, with a disproportionate impact in sub-Saharan Africa. Among its various aetiologies, biochemical derangements represent an important, treatable cause. Data on biochemical infertility patterns from private Nigerian hospitals remain scarce. Objectives: To determine the pattern and prevalence of biochemical abnormalities among female partners of infertile couples attending Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja — a private tertiary facility — and to compare findings with those from public health institutions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional review of records from 52 consecutive female partners of infertile couples who presented between January 2015 and December 2019. Fasting serum reproductive hormone profiles (FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, oestradiol, and testosterone) were assayed using Accubind ELISA Kits (Monobind Inc., Lake Forest, USA). Patients were classified by clinical and biochemical criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 21 with Pearson correlation and independent-samples t-tests. Results: The mean age was 32.65 ± 5.21 years (range: 22–42). Primary and secondary infertility accounted for 42.3% and 57.7% of cases respectively. Of all subjects, 82.7% were normo-gonadotrophic, 53.8% were hyper-prolactinaemic, 36.5% had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and 17.3% were hyper-gonadotrophic. No subject had hypo-gonadotrophism. The prevalence of PCOS was significantly higher than in comparable public-sector Nigerian data. Conclusion: Biochemical infertility is highly prevalent in this private hospital cohort, with hyper-prolactinaemia and PCOS as leading diagnoses. The prevalence pattern differs from public-sector counterparts, possibly reflecting socioeconomic and metabolic differences in the patient population. Routine biochemical fertility profiling should be integrated into early infertility evaluation in all clinical settings
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