Positive bacterial culture of semen from infertile men with asymptomatic leukocytospermia.
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 = 80) after 2-3 days of sexual abstinence. Standard semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Seminal leukocyte concentrations were determined by a myeloperoxidase staining technique. Culture of semen was performed on enriched and specific culture media.


RESULTS
Based on the results of semen culture, the samples were classified into three groups: group 1 (enteric gram-negative bacilli [Enterobacteriaceae], n = 13), group 2 (bacteria other than Enterobacteriaceae, n = 15), and group 3 (negative cultures, n = 52). 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 motile sperm and normal sperm morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
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 characteristics may be indicative of early or mild (subclinical) infection.
Esfandiari
Navid
N
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nesfand@excite.com
Saleh
Ramadan A
RA
Abdoos
Masoud
M
Rouzrokh
Ali
A
Nazemian
Zohreh
Z
D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D009195:Peroxidase