Leucocyte identification and analysis in human semen

Abstract

The analysis of leucocyte population in human semen could be useful in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of male genital infections, but it is difficult due the low percentage of leucocytes, often not easily recognizable from immature cells of spermatogenesis. A method was developed for the isolation and identification of different leucocyte populations in human semen in healthy subjects using anti-CD45-covered magnetic beads. The seminal fluid was incubated with anti-CD45-covered magnetic beads and the samples were placed in contact with a magnet. The CD45-positive cells recovered were analyzed by light microscopy. The leucocyte formula was compared with a leucocyte formula performed on seminal fluid sediment. The method, even if laborious, eliminates all spermatozoa and most of cells of spermatogenetic lineage, thus permitting phenotyping and functional analysis on isolated leucocytes.