Male Infertility Seminal Plasma Creatine Kinase CK Activity Semen Analysis Sperm Quality Sperm Count Sperm Motility Sperm Viability Sperm Morphology Idiopathic Infertility Biomarkers of Fertility

Male infertility is a prevalent and distressing condition affecting millions of couples globally, with significant psychosocial consequences. While conventional semen analysis, particularly sperm count, remains the cornerstone of male fertility evaluation, it frequently fails to fully explain reduced fertility or predict successful conception, especially in idiopathic male infertility. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between seminal plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and sperm quality indices among males investigated for infertility in Benin City. The seminal plasma CK activity, and semen analysis were evaluated in 75 men investigated for infertility and 50 men with proven fertility using spectrophotometric and microscopic techniques respectively. Chi square, Student –t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used compare and correlate the variables. The mean age of men investigated for infertility (40.32 ±1.51)years was not significantly different from the control subjects (41.20 ± 1.20)years (p>0.05). When the age was stratified, a significant difference was observed between the two groups (X2=0.036). Seminal plasma CK activity of men investigated for infertility (756.45 ± 23.7)IU/L was markedly higher (p=0.001) compared with the controls (412.60 ±19.56)IU/L. The sperm count (18.30 ± 11.04 vs 38.18 ± 9.60)x106/ml, volume (2.20 ±0.02 vs 2.75 ±0.06)ml, total motility (14.30 ± 3.10 vs 42.20±2.40)%, viability (18.32 ± 0.20 vs 59.18 ± 2.5)%, progressive motility (11.60 ±2.20 vs 34.22 ±2.60)% were markedly lower in men investigated infertility compared with controls. Conversely, the abnormal morphology (27.89 ±1.50 vs 7.30±2.50)% was markedly higher in infertile men than controls. Sperm count, total motility, viability and progressive motility correlated negatively with CK, while abnormal morphology correlated positively with creatine kinase activity (p<0.05). High CK activity suggests poor sperm quality among men with infertility.