INCREASED POLYMORPHONUCLEAR GRANULOCYTES IN SEMINAL PLASMA IN RELATION TO SPERM MORPHOLOGY

Much controversy surrounds the clinical significance of an increased c oncentration of white blood cells (WBC) in the male ejaculate. The Wor ld Health Organization's classification of leukocytospermia is a conce ntration >1x10(6) WBC/ml. The aim of this study was to assess the asso ciation of varying concentrations of leukocytes to sperm morphology ev aluated by strict criteria. Semen samples were collected from a total of 79 patients. Round cells on the initial semen analysis were stained for identification of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) as the lar gest group (50-60%) of white blood cells using the Endtz Method commer cially produced as Leucoscreen(TM). Diff Quick Staining Kit was used f or sperm morphology assessment and 200 spermatozoa were assessed per s lide. Data were evaluated using two cut-off criteria, at 0.5x10(6) WBC /ml and 1x10(6) WBC/ml. Mann-Whitney U-values at both < and >0.5x10(6) /ml PMN (P < 0.001) and at < and > 1.0x10(6)/ml PMN (P < 0.015)showed differences between percentage normal forms. Spearman's rank correlati on coefficient for PMN concentration showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01) with percentage normal sperm morphology and positive correlati on for midpiece abnormalities (P < 0.04). These data support the hypot hesis that PMN have a role in the increase of abnormal spermatozoa, pa rticularly those with midpiece abnormalities, by as yet unknown mechan isms.