Correlation of leukocytospermia with clinical infection and the positive effect of antiinflammatory treatment on semen quality.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between leukocytospermia, bacteriospermia, and clinical signs of infection and to evaluate antiinflammatory therapy.


METHODS
Prospective nonrandomized study.


METHODS
Andrologic clinic at university hospital.


METHODS
A total of 56 patients were evaluated, and 12 of them received further treatment with a Cox-2 inhibitor.


METHODS
Semen analysis and clinical investigation were done according to World Health Organization guidelines. Serum levels of leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured from blood samples.


METHODS
Sperm concentration, leukocyte concentration, serum leukocyte count, CRP, PSA, bacterial growth.


RESULTS
Leukocytospermia (>1 x 10(6)/mL) was present in 60.7% of the semen samples, significant pathogenic bacterial growth was detectable in 35.7%, and 14.3% of the samples fulfilled the criteria for ejaculate signs of infection. All serum parameters were within the normal range. In abacterial leukocytospermia, treatment with a Cox-2 inhibitor decreased leukocytospermia from 5.5 x 10(6)/mL to 1.0 x 10(6)/mL (P=.001) and increased sperm concentration from 22.5 x 10(6)/mL to 48.0 x 10(6)/mL (P=.02).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no evidence of an immune response in the peripheral blood system. In abacterial leukocytospermia, treatment with a Cox-2 inhibitor seems to be able to reduce leukocytospermia and increase sperm count.
Lackner
Jakob E
JE
Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. jakob.lackner@meduniwien.ac.at
Herwig
Ralf
R
Schmidbauer
Jörg
J
Schatzl
Georg
G
Kratzik
Christian
C
Marberger
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors