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Leukocytospermia and Oxidative Stress

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Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

Abstract

The invasion of microorganisms and infective bacteria in the genito-­urinary tract leads to the rapid increase in white blood cells, a condition referred to as leukocytospermia. This inflammatory response, aimed at killing the microorganisms via the production and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), can result in pathologically high concentrations of ROS. When these concentrations greatly exceed the level required for normal physiological function, the natural defense system of scavenging antioxidants can be overwhelmed, resulting in oxidative stress (OS) thereby compromising the integrity of spermatozoa and functional parameters vital for successful fertilization. The complexity of OS is furthered when additional factors (e.g., smoking, varicocele) increase ROS levels in the male genito-urinary system. At present, the association between semen parameters and leukocyte concentrations is a focal point in the field of male reproductive science. This chapter aims at exploring the relationship between leukocytospermia, OS, the harmful effects on male reproductive potential, as well as possible treatment regimes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Avenue, 19063, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    Margot Flint MSc & Stefan S. du Plessis PhD, MBA

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner College of Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Ashok Agarwal PhD

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  1. Margot Flint MSc
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  2. Ashok Agarwal PhD
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  3. Stefan S. du Plessis PhD, MBA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan S. du Plessis PhD, MBA .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

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Flint, M., Agarwal, A., du Plessis, S.S. (2012). Leukocytospermia and Oxidative Stress. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_23

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