Spontaneous variation of leukocytospermia in asymptomatic infertile males.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the spontaneous variation of leukocytospermia (>1 million/mL) in semen samples from infertile men.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Andrologic clinic at university hospital.


METHODS
Ninety-nine men evaluating for infertility causes.


METHODS
Two semen analyses according the World Health Organization criteria combined with urologic investigation without any treatment.


METHODS
Spontaneous (downward/upward) variation in leukocyte count, sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology between the two semen samples.


RESULTS
In the first semen analysis, 21% of men had leukocytospermia. By the second analysis, leukocyte concentrations were within the normal range in 9 of these 21 men, corresponding to a downward variation of 43%. In contrast, 7 of 78 patients with normal leukocyte levels at the first analysis had leukocytospermia at the second analysis, corresponding to an upward variation of 9%. The upward variation rates for sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology were 4%, 17%, and 4%, respectively. Downward variation rates were considerably higher for total motility and morphology (30% and 28%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate for spontaneous downward variation of leukocytospermia in the absence of treatment was 43% in this study. This rate should be taken into consideration when treating infertile men with leukocytospermia, because effective medical therapy is still lacking.
Lackner
Jakob E
JE
Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. jakob.lackner@meduniwien.ac.at
Lakovic
Emina
E
Waldhör
Thomas
T
Schatzl
Georg
G
Marberger
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D048430:Cell Shape; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*