[Increased desquamation of immature germ cells in the ejaculate of infertile men]

In order to find indications of underlying disorders, clinical, hormonal and spermatological examinations were conducted on 21 infertile male patients, who had shown increased exfoliation of immature germ cells in the ejaculate. However, no significant anamnestic, clinical or hormonal data were obtained. The differential spermiogram, on the other hand, revealed more or less uniform oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, which was also characterized by frequent alteration of the middle and end pieces of the spermatozoa. In 11 of 21 patients, Ureaplasma urealyticum was demonstrated in the seminal plasma. Examination of the cellular fraction in the seminal fluid by impulse cytophotometry revealed a slight rise in the hyperhaploid peaks, a definite increase in the diploid peaks, and pronounced increase in the hypohaploid peaks. It remains debatable whether the hypohaploid peaks represent a karyolysis of exfoliated immature germ cells, an idiopathic decrease in the DNA content of sperm cells, an artificial fragmentation, or increased disintegration of spermatozoa. The frequency of seminal infections with U. urealyticum raises the question of whether or not the increased exfoliation of immature germ cells represents a specific alteration of the sperm cell precoursers.