Increased polymorphonuclear granulocytes in seminal plasma in relation to sperm morphology

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Abstract

Much controversy surrounds the clinical significance of an increased concentration of white blood cells (WBC) in the male ejaculate. The World Health Organization's classification of leukocytospermia is a concentration > 1 x 106 WBC/ml. The aim of this study was to assess the association of varying concentrations of leukocytes to sperm morphology evaluated by strict criteria. Semen samples were collected from a total of 79 patients. Round cells on the initial semen analysis were stained for identification of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) as the largest group (50-60%) of white blood cells using the Endtz Method commercially produced as Leucoscreen®. Diff Quick Staining Kit was used for sperm morphology assessment and 200 spermatozoa were assessed per slide. Data were evaluated using two cut-off criteria, at 0.5 x 106 WBC/ml and 1 x 106 WBC/ml. Mann-Whitney U-values at both < and > 0.5 x 106/ml PMN (P < 0.001) and at < and > 1.0 x 106/ml PMN (P < 0.015) showed differences between percentage normal forms. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for PMN concentration showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01) with percentage normal sperm morphology and positive correlation for midpiece abnormalities (P < 0.04). These data support the hypothesis that PMN have a role in the increase of abnormal spermatozoa, particularly those with midpiece abnormalities, by as yet unknown mechanisms.

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Thomas, J., Fishel, S. B., Hall, J. A., Green, S., Newton, T. A., & Thornton, S. J. (1997). Increased polymorphonuclear granulocytes in seminal plasma in relation to sperm morphology. Human Reproduction, 12(11), 2418–2421. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/12.11.2418

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