Association between leukocytospermia and semen interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha in infertile men

Summary Seminal cytokines were previously reported to adversely affect process of spermatogenesis and ultimately induce poor semen quality. However, association between both IL‐6 and TNF‐α and leukocytospermia was not yet settled. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between leukocytospermia and levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in semen of infertile men. This cross‐sectional study included 100 age‐matched (≥18–45 years.) men. Participants were divided into four groups with 25 patients in each group: Group (A) – infertile patients with leukocytospermia and normal other semen parameters; Group (B) – infertile patients with leukocytospermia and abnormal semen parameters; Group (C) – infertile patients with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia and/or teratospermia but with no leukocytospermia; Group (D) – fertile patients with normal semen parameters and without leukocytospermia. All patients were assessed by detailed medical, sexual, fertility history, and complete physical examination. Laboratory assessment included hormonal and semen analysis and assessment of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in semen plasma. There were significant differences among the study groups regarding total sperm count, sperm concentration, and progressive motility (p