Reduced sperm concentration in a patient from a suspected post-operative infection: a case study

A diagnostic semen analysis should be performed as part of a couple's routine fertility investigations in order to determine sperm quality prior to managing the treatment pathway. The semen analysis report should be considered alongside clinical discussions and a review of both patients' medical history. However, whilst it is part of the standard patient pathway, a regular up-to-date review at each clinical step of a patients' journey is not always performed, which may miss potential clinical changes that could impact the most effective management of the couple. This case study reports the impact on the semen quality of a post-operative infection and hospitalisation of a male patient on a fertility management pathway.