Leukocytes in semen from men with spinal cord injuries

Objective: To assess the leukocyte populations in semen samples from men wi th spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and their relation to sperm motility. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A joint spinal cord injury and fertility clinic at an academic ter tiary referral center for fertility treatment and a university-based depart ment of immunology. Patient(s): Nine men with chronic SCIs and seven healthy sperm donors as co ntrols. Intervention(s): Semen samples were obtained by electroejaculation from men with SCIs and by mastur bation from donors. Main Outcome Measure(s): Leukocyte populations determined by immunohistoche mical techniques, bacteriologic assessment of urine, and sperm density and motility. Result(s): The most cellular specimens were antegrade specimens obtained fr om men with SCIs and coexisting urinary tract infections. The highest propo rtion of leukocytes occurred in retrograde samples from men with SCIs and u rinary tract infections. The most predominant leukocytes in all specimens w ere granulocytes. Infection increased the number of T cells and the degree of cell activation. There was no significant correlation between leukocyte populations and total motile sperm counts. Conclusion(s): Increased numbers of leukocytes in semen samples from men wi th SCIs are the result of urinary tract infections. The reduced sperm motil ity seen in men with SCIs does not correlate with the numbers of leukocytes ; therefore, other factors also contribute to the semen abnormalities in th ese patients. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;72:97-103. (C)1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).