ASYMPTOMATIC LEUKOCYTOSPERMIA IN INFERTILE MEN IS ASSOCIATED WITH POSITIVE BACTERIAL CULTURES
Ramadan Saleh1, Ahmed Hassan2 and Medhat Ismail 3
Departments of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology1; Microbiology2; Clinical Pathology3;
Sohag Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Sohag, Egypt
Objective: To examine results of semen culture in a population of infertile men with asymptomatic leukocytospermia, and to determine the correlation between culture results and sperm characteristics in these patients.
Methods: Semen samples were collected from a group of infertile men (n = 160) after 2-3 days of sexual abstinence. Standard semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (WHO, 1999). Seminal leukocyte concentrations were determined by a myeloperoxidase staining technique. Culture of semen was performed on enriched and specific media.
Results: Based on results of semen culture, patient's samples were classified into three groups: group1 (enteric Gram-negative bacilli; Enterobacteriaceae, n = 26), group 2 (bacteria other than Enterobacteriaceae, n = 30), and group 3 (negative cultures, n = 104). No correlation was found between positive semen culture and sperm characteristics (concentration, motility, and morphology). However, seminal leukocyte concentrations were negatively correlated with percentages of sperm motility (p < 0.05, r = 0.33), and normal sperm forms (p < 0.05, r = 0.46).
Conclusion: Our data indicate that semen samples from infertile men with asymptomatic leukocytospermia may have bacterial contamination, evidenced by positive bacterial cultures. Lack of correlation between positive semen cultures and sperm parameters may be indicative of early or mild (sub-clinical) infection.
December 2005