NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSIP BETWEEN LEUCOCYTOSPERMIA AND BACTERIOSPERMIA IN SEXUALLY ACTIVE MALES IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.17.096.3 | Article Number: 48E9BA15 | Vol.10 (3) - December 2011
Authors: Onemu S. O. , Ophori E. A. and Ogbim A. O.
Keywords: Leucocytes, Leucocytospermia, bacteriospermia, semen quality, sexually active males
The presence of leucocytes and bacteria in spermatozoa is known as leucocytospermia and bacteriospermia respectively. In sexually active males, both conditions tend to reduce semen quality. This study was carried out to determine the presence and effects of leucocytes and bacteria in semen of sexually active males in Benin City,Nigeria. A total of 187 sexually-active men attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria volunteered to participate in the study. They were aged 19-33 years (mean = 23.7 ± 3.2) .Seminal fluid samples were submitted by participants after 3 days abstinence from alcohol, drugs and sex. The samples were cultured on bacteriological media and identified by standard methods. Spermatozoa concentration, leucocytes density, motility and other parameters were performed microscopically using the World Health Organization guidelines. Antimicrobial sensitivity was done on isolates by the disc diffusion method. Out of 187 samples, 70 (37.4%) were positive for bacteriospermia. Staphylococcus aureus had the highest prevalence of 57.1%, this was followed by Escherichia coli ( 15.7% ), Mycoplasma sp.( 14.3% ), Klebsiella spp. ( 7.1%) and Candida albicans ( 5.7% ). Leucocyte counts ranged from 2.9-6.0 x 106/ ml. There was an increase in bacteriospermia with increase in leucocyte counts. When leucocyte counts were > 3 x 106/ml, the percentage of pathogenic microorganisms isolated and the progressive motility increased significantly (P < 0.001) for all the isolates except for Mycoplamsa spp. Antimicrobial sensitivity of all isolates (except Candida albicans) was higher to ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. Although leucocytes is a poor marker of bacteriospermia, leucocytes density of >3x106/ml was a threshold marker for positive bacterial semen culture in this study. The presence of leucocytospermia and bacteriospermia were strongly associated with poor semen quality.
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