EFFECT OF BETEL NUT / GUTKA CONSUMPTION ON SEMEN ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: The consumption of betel nut or gutka is very popular in South Asia, including Pakistan, and has been associated with different negative health effects. The active substances they contain can cause oxidative stress and negatively influence the process of spermatogenesis, which may impact the quality of semen and male fertility. Yet, evidence in the local context on their effects on semen parameters among infertile men is scarce.

Objective: To determine the frequency of abnormal semen parameters among habitual betel nut/gutka users presenting to the infertility clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Methodology: This Cross-sectional research was conducted on the sample of 133 patients at the Department of OBG, Civil Hospital Karachi from 09th February 2026 to 10th May 2026. A total of 133 males aged 22–49 years with ≥4-year daily betel nut/gutka use and infertility were enrolled via non-probability consecutive sampling. Semen parameters (volume, concentration, motility, morphology) were assessed. Data were analysed using SPSS-26, applying descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at 5% significance.

Result: The mean age was 37.24 ± 8.08 years. There were frequent abnormal semen parameters with teratozoospermia (36.8%) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (23.3%). Mean sperm count was 15.68 ± 6.34 million/ml and motility 39.59 ± 10.80%. No statistically significant association was observed between age or duration of gutka use and semen abnormalities (p=0.804; p=0.905).

Conclusion: Habitual betel nut/gutka use among infertile males was associated with a high frequency of abnormal semen parameters, with morphological and combined defects predominating. However, no statistically significant relationship was observed between semen abnormalities and age or duration of consumption. These findings highlight the burden of poor semen quality in this population and underscore the need for substance use counselling as part of routine male infertility assessment.