title: Novel morphological findings of human sperm removal by leukocytes in in vivo and in vitro conditions: preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biological significance of increased number of leukocytes in ejaculate remains a subject of controversy. The aim of this research was to describe the morphological characteristics of the sperm elimination by leukocytes in in vivo and in vitro conditions using natural stimulator of the immune system--uropathogenic Escherichia coli, O75:HNT, isolated from semen.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed on ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic men with leukocytospermia (n=10, in vivo experiment) or without leukocytospermia (n=15, in vitro experiment). Morphological observations were performed using light and scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm removal by active leukocytes mediated by traditional phagocytosis and generation of extracellular traps were observed in in vivo and in vitro experiments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our morphological data suggest that human germ cells activate leukocytes triggering both traditional phagocytosis and a novel trapping mechanism, followed by extensive sperm elimination.
authors: Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Piasecka
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Fraczek
authors: Dariusz
authors: D
authors: Gaczarzewicz
authors: Kamil
authors: K
authors: Gill
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Szumala-Kakol
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Kazienko
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Laszczynska
authors: Stanislaw
authors: S
authors: Lenart
authors: Lothar
authors: L
authors: Beutin
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Kurpisz
mesh_terms: D065206:Extracellular Traps / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D056689:Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology
keywords: Escherichia coli; extracellular traps; leukocytospermia; sperm phagocytosis