Study on the origin of seminal leucocytes using split ejaculate technique and the effect of leucocytospermia on sperm characteristics.

The origin of seminal leucocytes and their biological significance were investigated in 76 whole ejaculate samples and 27 split ejaculate samples, obtained from patients attending the Zimbabwe Family Planning Council's Spilhaus Infertility Clinic at Harare. The leucocytes were more prevalent in fractions 1 and 2 than in fraction 3, implying that the testis, epididymis and prostate are the major sources of seminal leucocytes. The contribution from the seminal vesicles was minimal. An inverse relation is apparent between leucocyte count and sperm count (p < 0.01). The percentage of abnormal sperms was higher (p < 0.05) and the sperm motility poorer in leucocytospermic samples (p < 0.01). Fructose, the seminal vesicular marker, citric acid, the prostatic marker and alpha-glucosidase, the epididymal marker were not decreased in leucocytospermia. It is concluded that the epididymis and prostate are the major contributors of granulocytes in semen. Leucocytospermia affects sperm morphology and sperm motility but not the accessory sex gland functions. Probably these cytotoxic effects are mediated by hydrogen peroxide due to activation of seminal leucocytes. However, the presence of leucocytospermia in normozoospermic samples is indicative of the possible peaceful coexistence of leucocytes and sperms.