Varicocele is a common abnormality with the following andrological implications: failure of testicular growth and development, symptoms of pain and discomfort, male infertility. Moreover, the infection-induced inflammation causes an elevated count of leukocytes, and can lead to leukospermia.Īn abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum (Pic. However, such infections, as well as those involving other parts of the male genital urinary tract, may cause a microbial colonization of the semen. Infections of the lower genital tract seem to have little importance. Less frequently, male infertility may be due to nonsexually transmitted epididymo-orchitis, mostly caused by Escherichia coli. Among the most common microorganisms involved in sexually transmitted infections, thus interfering with male fertility, are the Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea. These infections can be both sexually transmitted and non-sexually transmitted. Spermatogenesis itself can be affected by urogenital infections at different levels of development, maturation, and transport of spermatozoa. Different sites can be affected in the male reproductive system, such as the testis, epididymis, and male accessory sex glands. Infections of male genital urinary tract account for about 15% of the case of male infertility. Infectious agents can interfere with the reproductive function in both sexes. Bacteriospermia affects the normal fertility process by any of these following mechanisms: deterioration of spermatogenesis, decreased sperm motility, altered acrosome (a vesicle present on the head of the sperm cell) reaction, altered morphology, formation of reactive oxygen species leading to increased DNA fragmentation index, formation of antisperm antibodies, and genital tract obstruction due to inflammation and fibrosis (scar tissue formation). The immune reaction of the organism leads to inflammation and can cause concurrent leucospermia, as the leukocytes aim to destroy and phagocytose (devour) the bacteria. It is usually associated with bacterial genitourinary tract infection, which can remain asymptomatic, but already produce significant bacteriospermia. Leucospermia may be associated with several conditions, including:īacteriospermia is the presence of bacteria in the semen. Recommended follow-up includes semen analysis three months later the antibiotics treatment. Generally, the female partner is also treated. Antibiotics treatment is associated with a reduction in the concentration of leukocytes and improved fertilization rate. Generally, for the treatment of leucospermia, 4-6 week course of extended spectrum antibiotics, such as erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxadole, doxycycline, azithromycin, ofloxacin, or a quinocole, is recommended. If any pathological components of the ejaculate, such as leukospermia, are found, the couple should first undergo treatment of the condition before the fertility treatment can be planned. Before assisted reproduction techniques (ART) treatment, the spermiogram of the man should be carefully evaluated. The diagnosis of leukospermia has contradicting effects on pregnancy rates in natural pregnancies, intra-uterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intra-cytoplasmis sperm injection (ICSI). Even if the condition is not caused by infection, impaired fertility can occur. In a state of inflammation, the white blood cell count in the semen is elevated and may affect sperm quality. Leukocytes and abnormal sperms are considered major sources of ROS in semen. Spermatozoa membrane and nuclear DNA damage caused by increased ROS with defective antioxidant defect could play a role in development of poor sperm quality including motility and fertilizing ability. ROS are highly reactive molecules that cause damage to various cell components, most importantly to DNA and cell membrane. 2) have an important effect on male fertility as they are implicated in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Leukocytes (polymorphonuclear neutrophils and macrophages, Pic. Another condition strongly associated with high level of white blood cells in the semen is varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum). 1).Įlevated amount of white blood cells in semen may be associated with the presence of bacteria in semen (bacteriospermia), genital or urinary tract infections, which could cause pain, alterations in accessory sex gland functions, tubal occlusion and fertility problem including decreased sperm motility and count. High level of white blood cells (over one million of white blood cells in 1 millimeter (mL) of ejaculate), or leukocytes, in the semen, is an abnormality of semen quality, and can be indicative of a disease of the male genital tract (Pic.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |