The Association Between Leukocytes and Sperm Quality is Concentration Dependent

Overview

Journal Reprod Biol Endocrinol

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2010 Feb 9

PMID 20137070

Citations 14

Authors

Jakob E Lackner

Ashok Agarwal

Reda Mahfouz

Stefan S Du Plessis

Georg Schatzl

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the association between leukocytes (polymorphonuclear granulocytes -PMNL) and semen parameters at different leukocyte concentrations.

Methods: This was a retrospective clinical study at a university hospital andrology clinic. Semen samples from infertile men were analyzed for sperm morphology and motility according to seminal leukocytes (PMNL) concentration (category A: >0 to <0.25 x 10(6)/mL; category B: >0.25 to <0.5 x 10(6)/mL; category C: >0.5 to <0.75 x 10(6)/mL; category D: >0.75 to <1.0 x 10(6)/mL, category E: >1 x 10(6)/mL).

Results: The percentage of sperm with normal morphology increased significantly from category A (14%) to category D (19%) but decreased in category E to levels (14%) similar to those in category A. Motility grades a and a+b (combined) also increased from category A (12%, 20%) to category D (18.0%, 28.5%) and decreased in category E (11%, 20.5%) to levels similar to those in category A. Sperm deformities and motility grades c and d increased progressively in all categories.

Summary: Leukocytes had a positive association with normal morphology and progressive motility in semen samples at a concentration of 0-1 x 10(6)/mL. The findings suggest that the association between leukocytes (PMNL) and semen quality might be concentration dependent.

Citing Articles

Mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced sperm dysfunction.

Wang Y, Fu X, Li H Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025; 16:1520835.

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Association of leukocyte elastase in semen and seminal plasma with sperm parameters and pregnancy outcomes in male fertility.

Das M, Gumssani M, Mullaney J, Henkel R, Minhas S, Aquilina M Endocr Connect. 2024; 14(2).

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Effect of pH and neutrophil count on the motility and persistence of spermatozoa in the vagina of candidiasis rat models.

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Oxidative Stress-Associated Male Infertility: Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches.

Pavuluri H, Bakhtiary Z, Panner Selvam M, Hellstrom W Medicina (Kaunas). 2024; 60(6).

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Leukocytospermia and/or Bacteriospermia: Impact on Male Infertility.

Henkel R J Clin Med. 2024; 13(10).

PMID: 38792382 PMC: 11122306. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102841.

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