INCREASED LYMPHOCYTE CONCENTRATION IN THE SEMEN OF PATIENTS WITH REDUCED TESTICULAR VOLUME

Low testicular volume (TV) is associated with a decreased testicular function. Several studies explored the conventional sperm parameters and the endocrine function in patients with low TV. No other parameters have been examined. On the basis of these premises, the aim of this study was to evaluate a non-conventional seminal parameter: seminal lymphocyte characterisation in men with low TV compared with that of subjects with normal TV. A further comparison was made between fertile men and infertile patients with low or normal TV (78 patients). The testis was considered normal in size when it had a volume between 15 and 25 cm(3), low-normal with a volume between 10 and 12 cm(3) and hypotrophic when the volume was <10 cm(3). Statistically significant differences were observed in the following sperm parameters: percentage of immature germ elements, peroxidase-positive leukocyte concentration and CD45(pos) leukocytes (p<0.05). A correlation analysis showed the presence of a positive linear relationship between CD45(pos) leukocytes and the percentage of immature germ elements (r=0.88; p<0.05) and between CD45(pos) leukocytes and the percentage of spermatozoa with phosphatidylserine externalisation (r=0.90; p<0.05) as well as a negative linear relationship between the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology and the seminal CD45(pos) leukocyte concentration (r=-0.75; p<0.05). The results of this study showed that patients with low testicular volume (<10 cm(3)) have a significantly increased CD45(pos) concentration that is associated with increased percentages of immature germ elements, spermatozoa with signs of early apoptosis, and spermatozoa with abnormal morphology.