The gynaecologist identified low sperm count as the commonest cause of infertility in men. According to him, men with low sperm count cannot impregnate their wives, no matter the rounds of intimate intercourse they have.
Ajayi said: “Yes there is rising cases of infertility in the country. It is usually a male factor issue. Most of the infertility cases in Nigeria are due to problem with the men. These issues especially of low sperm count are because of environmental issues and lifestyle. Several studies even in Denmark have shown that male sperm count is plummeting.
“They will tell you that their fathers have many children. But we know that in genetics, some genes are recessive, while some are dormant. So it is possible for your father to have a recessive gene for low sperm count, which now manifests in you.”
“The tests are specified and almost everybody can interpret them. The problem is how to get the appropriate treatment. That is why people go for escapist methods. They go from one prayer house to the other. They go to traditional doctors.”
“The earlier men go for treatment the better because the age of a woman can determine the success of any treatment. Men should stop blaming women for the problem. Both male and female factors can cause infertility.”
As part of efforts to enable more Nigerians benefit from the high cost technique, the clinic yesterday offered free pre-IVF treatment screening opportunity to 12 ‘infertile’ couples with the promise of giving free 100 per cent IVF treatment to only three after the screening exercise.