Altered sperm function or sperm antibodies are not associated with chlamydial antibodies in infertile men with leucocytospermia

OBJECTIVE: Leucocytospermia, defined as a concentration of more than 10(6) leucocytes/ml of seminal fluid in patients without clinical symptoms due to an adnexitis, is seen in about 10% of patients in an infertility department. Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is possibly relevant as other pathogenic bacteria were not cultured from the semen in significant numbers. SETTING: University Clinic, Department of Andrology. PATIENTS: Two hundred and seven patients attending the department for male infertility investigation. METHODS: Analysis on each semen sample included determination of leucocyte count and the MAR test for the detection of sperm antibodies. Chlamydial antibodies in semen were determined using an on-slide enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: No differences between leucocyte counts in patients with and without chlamydial antibodies were detected. In addition, no differences in the sperm parameters or results of MAR-tests in these two groups was seen. There were no correlations between the leucocyte count and sperm parameters, including the MAR-test results. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that antibodies to chlamydiae in semen are not associated with leucocytospermia. Leucocytospermia per se does not appear to be significant for the sperm functions and immune responses to sperm.