The influence of leukocytospermia on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

BackgroundIt is not well established whether the increased number of leukocytes in the seminal fluid impairs the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This investigation analysed the outcomes of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) cycles in couples in which the male partner exhibited leukocytospermia.MethodsA total of 100 cycles in 100 couples were included in this study. For the ICSI or IMSI procedures, the patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of leukocytospermia and then matched by (female) age: ICSI: Group I (n = 25): Leukocytospermia - semen samples with a leukocyte count of greater than or equal to 1 × 10(6)/mL; and Group II (n = 25): Non-leukocytospermia - semen samples with a leukocyte count < 1 × 10(6)/mL. IMSI: Group I (n = 25): Leukocytospermia; and Group II (n = 25): Non-leukocytospermia.The endpoints included the rates of fertilisation, implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy and live birth. Student’s t-tests, Mann–Whitney tests and Chi-square tests were performed, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe data from the ICSI groups showed that leukocytospermia did not have a negative influence on the rates of fertilisation (Group I: 57.9+/−30.2%, Group II: 61.9+/−27.7%; P = 0.74), implantation (Group I: 12.3%; Group II: 13.5%; P = 0.93), clinical pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), miscarriage (Group I: 0, Group II: 0), ongoing pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), or live births (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0). Similarly, the data from the IMSI groups also showed that the leukocytospermia did not have a negative influence on the rates of fertilisation (Group I: 67.6+/−24.6%, Group II: 59.5+/−28.1%; P = 0.36), implantation (Group I: 17.5%; Group II: 16.7%; P = 0.90), clinical pregnancy (Group I: 28%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), miscarriage (Group I: 14.3%; Group II: 0; P = 0.33), ongoing pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), or live births (Group I: 24%, 6/25; Group II: 24%, 6/25; P = 1.0).ConclusionsThe results indicate that the leukocytospermia may not have a negative effect on the outcomes of ICSI or IMSI cycles. Nevertheless, it seems that it is necessary to more precisely determine the effects, if any, of seminal leukocytes on fertilisation and implantation processes. Such efforts will help to establish a more reliable leukocyte threshold, which could eventually demonstrate whether there is a negative influence on the ART procedures.

The Seminal Plasma MDA Level as Bio-Marker for Oxidative Stress and Their Impact on Seminogram in Primary Infertile Males, Erbil-Kurdistan Region, Iraq

“…In our study, leukocytospermic infertile men showed decreased in sperm characteristics compared with non-leukocytospermic, similar results found by studies of [30,31,32,33].…”

Discrimination of human semen specimens by NMR data, sperm parameters, and statistical analysis

“…In our population cluster 2 was characterized by a decreased semen quality and by the presence of all the cases with leukocytospermia only or associated with the other conditions. It is known that leukocytospermia has a negative impact on semen quality due to the production of the reactive oxygen species that are able to decrease sperm motility [Cavagna et al 2012]. We can hypothesize that in cluster 2 leukocytospermia may cause a reduction in sperm motility, altering the ability of the spermatozoa to utilize substrates involved in ATP production and subsequently fertility [Goodson et al 2012].…”

Mechanisms of the harmful effects of bacterial semen infection on ejaculated human spermatozoa: potential inflammatory markers in semen

“…Moreover, according to some authors, leukocytospermia represents an essential or additional risk factor that needs to be treated if sperm quality is to be improved [61,62]. On the other hand, the observed alterations of standard sperm parameters accompanying leukocytospermia have not always been associated with a decreased fertilizing ability of the sperm, especially in assisted conception procedures [63,64]. These data are indirectly in agreement with the results that we obtained in an in vitro model of semen bacterial infection, indicating the detrimental effect of leukocytes alone on sperm motility and the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test.…”