Pattern of Semen Analysis, Seminal Testosterone and Prostate Specific Antigen (Psa) in Symptomatic HIV Infected Subjects on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among South Eastern Nigeria Men

Background This study was designed to evaluate the pattern of semen analysis, seminal Testosterone and PSA levels, in symptomatic HIV subjects in South Eastern Nigeria Men., 111 participants aged between 17 and 55 (41±12) years were randomly recruited. Based on WHO criteria for HIV staging, the participants were grouped as follows: Symptomatic HIV on ART (n=43), symptomatic HIV not on ART (n=39). Similarly, 39 HIV seronegative participants served as control.
Methods Blood samples were collected from the participants for the determination of HIV status. Also semen samples were collected from all the participants. The WHO recommended standard routine method were used to analyzed semen in an ejaculate. Seminal Testosterone and PSA were estimated using Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) method.
Results The result showed that the mean percent motility is significantly lower in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART and symptomatic HIV seropositive on ART compared with the HIV seronegatives (p< 0.05). The mean percent viable and semen volume also showed significantly lower values in symptomatic HIV not on ART and on ART compared with the HIV seronegatives (p< 0.05). The mean semen count x 10⁶/ml showed higher count in symptomatic HIV on ART compared with symptomatic HIV not on ART(p<0.05). But maintained similar value compared with the HIV seronegative control (p>0.05). The pH, liquefaction time and viscosity showed simliar values amongst the groups. Testosterone showed similar values in symptomatic HIV on ART and HIV seronegative participants (p>0.5). But showed higher significant values in both symptomatic HIV and HIV seronegative participants compared with symptomatic HIV participant not on ART (p< 0.05). The PSA showed no significant difference amongst the groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions The study concludes that HIV infection grossly affect the semen quality which was evidenced by the presence of hypospermia and sthenozoospermia on symptomatic HIV positive male participants.