Objective: To investigate the correlation between leukocytospermia, bacteriospermia, and clinical signs of infection and to evaluate antiinflammatory therapy.
Design: Prospective nonrandomized study.
Setting: Andrologic clinic at university hospital.
Patient(s): A total of 56 patients were evaluated, and 12 of them received further treatment with a Cox-2 inhibitor.
Intervention(s): 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.
Main outcome measure(s): Sperm concentration, leukocyte concentration, serum leukocyte count, CRP, PSA, bacterial growth.
Result(s): 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).
Conclusion(s): 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.