Leukocytospermia is associated with poor semen quality

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Urology
• Immunology

Background:

• Leukocytospermia, defined as elevated white blood cells (WBC) in semen, is a potential factor in male infertility.
• The precise impact of different WBC types and concentrations on semen parameters requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of leukocytospermia in male infertility patients.
• To determine the association between specific white blood cell types and concentrations and various semen quality parameters.
• To explore the relationship between leukocytospermia and antisperm antibodies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of semen samples from 179 infertility patients using immunologic techniques to quantify white blood cells (WBC).
• Categorization of patients based on WBC concentration (leukocytospermia defined as >10^6 WBC/mL).
• Comparison of semen parameters between leukocytospermic and non-leukocytospermic groups, and correlation with specific WBC subtypes (monocytes/macrophages, T lymphocytes, granulocyte elastase).

Main Results:

• Twenty-three percent of infertility patients exhibited leukocytospermia (>10^6 WBC/mL).
• Leukocytospermic patients showed significant reductions in total sperm number, motility, velocity, and total motile sperm.
• Elevated monocytes/macrophages, T lymphocytes, or granulocyte elastase were associated with reduced ejaculate volume, sperm velocity, or sperm count, respectively.
• No correlation was found between leukocytospermia and antisperm antibodies.

Conclusions:

• Leukocytospermia is a common finding in male infertility and is associated with impaired semen quality.
• Specific elevated WBC populations in semen correlate with distinct negative effects on reproductive parameters.
• WBC testing in semen analysis may aid in identifying patients who could benefit from targeted therapies.