Altered sperm function or sperm antibodies are not associated with chlamydial antibodies in infertile men with leucocytospermia.

OBJECTIVE

Leucocytospermia, defined as a concentration of more than 10(6) leucocytes/ml of seminal fluid in patients without clinical symptoms due to an adnexitis, is seen in about 10% of patients in an infertility department. Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is possibly relevant as other pathogenic bacteria were not cultured from the semen in significant numbers.

SETTING

University Clinic, Department of Andrology.

PATIENTS: Two hundred and seven patients attending the department for male infertility investigation.

METHODS

Analysis on each semen sample included determination of leucocyte count and the MAR test for the detection of sperm antibodies. Chlamydial antibodies in semen were determined using an on-slide enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

No differences between leucocyte counts in patients with and without chlamydial antibodies were detected. In addition, no differences in the sperm parameters or results of MAR-tests in these two groups was seen. There were no correlations between the leucocyte count and sperm parameters, including the MAR-test results.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that antibodies to chlamydiae in semen are not associated with leucocytospermia. Leucocytospermia per se does not appear to be significant for the sperm functions and immune responses to sperm.