The secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and its relationship to sperm motility: effects of infection in the male reproductive tract

Abstract

In 146 males aged between 20 years and 40 years attending an infertility service, the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles was assessed by measurement of corrected seminal fructose concentration. This value was related to the presence of a positive semen culture, other evidence of inflammatory processes in the reproductive tract and sperm motility. Only 48% of subjects with a positive semen culture showed evidence of inflammation in the reproductive tract, as assessed by the presence of more than 20 white blood cells per high power field, and greater than 10% spermagglutination in the ejaculate. There was a relationship between the inflammatory process, hypofunction of the seminal vesicles and poor sperm motility. When the semen culture was positive but there was no evidence of inflammation neither seminal vesicle function nor sperm motility was affected. When the semen culture was negative, i.e. no evidence of inflammation and the subjects were asthenozoospermic, the corrected fructose levels were normal. It is proposed that in these conditions the cause of asthenozoospermia may be factors other than accessory sex organ dysfunction. In conclusion, there was no close relationship between the bacteriological results and evidence of inflammation of the accessory glands. A positive semen culture was related to lower levels of corrected fructose (hypofunction of the seminal vesicles) when the positive sperm culture was associated with inflammation of the reproductive tract and asthenozoospermia.

Functional Structure and Ultrastructure of Seminal Vesicles

“…The importance of this measurement has been stressed recently [21-231. Seminal corrected fructose is lower if the serum testosterone levels are lower [22] or if a vesiculitis (an inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles) is present [23]. In both cases the sperm motility is decreased, suggesting a relationship between functionality of the seminal vesicles and sperm motility.…”

Influence of autogenous leucocytes and Escherichia coli on sperm motility parameters in vitro

“…Bacterial infections of the male accessory sex glands correlate with the decline of ejaculate parameters such as sperm motility, sperm morphology, fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa and seminal plasma markers, respectively (Gonzales et al ., 1989; Wolff et al ., 1990; Depuydt et al ., 1998; Ludwig et al ., 1998; Diemer et al ., 2000b). Therefore, urogenital infections are considered a significant cause of male infertility (Comhaire et al ., 1980; Christiansen et al ., 1991; Weidner et al ., 1991).…”

Infection du tractus génital masculin : le point de vue du bactériologiste

“…Gonzales a trouvé une corrélation entre une asthénozoos-permie, une hypofonction des vésicules séminales mesurée par le taux de fructose corrigé, et une spermoculture positive seulement lorsque celle-ci était accompagnée d'une leucospermie [26], et l'action délétère est attribuée ici à l'obstruction des canaux affectant la sécrétion de composants essentiels à la motilité (chlamydiae, mycoplasmes et virus non recherchés).…”