Antibiotic therapy and leukocytospermia: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of common antibiotic therapies for treatment of leukocytospermia of unknown etiology.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Fertility and Endocrinology Unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.


METHODS
One thousand seven hundred ten male partners in infertile couples attending the Fertility and Endocrinology Unit.


METHODS
Concentrations of seminal peroxidase-positive granulocytes were determined during all routine semen analyses performed over a 30-month period. Of 119 men found to have leukocytospermia (> 10(6) granulocytes/mL semen) on first visit, 54 agreed to be randomized into one of three groups, and 41 patients completed the study. Group I (n = 13) and their wives received a 14-day course of oral doxycycline, 100 mg twice per day. Group II (n = 11) and their wives received a 14-day course of oral trimethoprim 160 mg-sulfamethoxazole 800 mg twice per day. Group III (n = 17) and their wives received no therapy. Four weeks after randomization, repeat semen analyses and granulocyte quantitations were done.


RESULTS
Neither of the antibiotic regimens resulted in a significantly higher rate of resolution of leukocytospermia over that seen in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high rate of spontaneous resolution of leukocytospermia after one positive test. Antibiotics are no more beneficial than no therapy for treatment of this condition.
Yanushpolsky
E H
EH
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Fearing Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Politch
J A
JA
Hill
J A
JA
Anderson
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole; D004318:Doxycycline