Infertility Demands Greater Attention, Says AAU Vice-Chancellor as Don Advocates Innovative Solutions
By Esosa Omorogbe
EKPOMA — The Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Professor Eunice Omozejie, has described infertility as a growing public health concern that requires urgent attention from researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers.
Professor Omozejie made the remark during the university's 147th Inaugural Lecture delivered by Professor Abdul-Razaq McSionel Momoh of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, at the institution's main campus in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor noted that infertility continues to affect millions of couples worldwide, with significant social, psychological and economic consequences. She commended Professor Momoh for his extensive contributions to medical research, particularly in the areas of microbiology, antimicrobial resistance and male infertility management.In his inaugural lecture, Professor Momoh highlighted decades of research focused on the isolation and identification of both coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative strains of Staphylococcus from clinical samples, especially among patients with urinary tract infections. He explained that his investigations also examined the effectiveness of various antibiotics, particularly quinolones, against bacterial isolates obtained from patients with urinary tract infections, infertility and HIV-related co-infections.
According to the professor, his research team successfully analysed the minimum inhibitory concentrations of more than twenty-one antibiotics against different bacterial species associated with urinary tract infections and infertility cases. The studies further revealed distinct antibiogram profiles among the isolated bacterial strains, indicating varying patterns of antibiotic sensitivity and resistance.Professor Momoh disclosed that one strain of Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated complete resistance to all tested antibiotics and was consequently classified by his research team as a "superbug."
He further explained that plasmid-curing experiments conducted on resistant bacterial isolates showed that while some organisms lost their resistance after plasmid removal, others retained their resistance, suggesting the involvement of chromosomal resistance mechanisms.
The scholar said the knowledge gained from the studies enabled the development of innovative approaches to managing resistant bacterial infections linked to male infertility. One such approach, which he termed "in vivo tindalization," employs carefully selected chemotherapeutic agents to tackle resistant bacterial strains associated with leukocytospermia while improving sperm quality.Professor Momoh also revealed that findings from the extensive antibiogram profiling led to the development of a sensitivity and resistance phenotypic database for common disease-causing bacteria. According to him, the database could serve as a valuable diagnostic and treatment-support tool, particularly in areas with limited access to doctors and advanced laboratory services.
The researcher stated that the work further inspired the development of what he called the "Calvary Solution," an antibiotic-rich cream designed for the treatment of chronic and non-healing skin ulcers.He added that the accumulated knowledge from the studies now forms the scientific foundation for the management of bacterial-associated male factor infertility through a combination of targeted antimicrobial therapy, essential minerals, vitamins and reproductive hormones such as Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG).
The inaugural lecture attracted members of the university community, healthcare professionals, researchers, students and distinguished guests, who applauded the lecturer's contributions to medical science and the search for practical solutions to antimicrobial resistance and infertility-related challenges.
Thanks to you Prof for job well-done
ReplyDelete