Volume 72, Issue 4 pp. 348-358
Short Communication

Novel Morphological Findings of Human Sperm Removal by Leukocytes in In Vivo and In Vitro Conditions: Preliminary Study

Malgorzata Piasecka

Corresponding Author

Malgorzata Piasecka

Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

Both authors equally contributed to this study.

Correspondence

Malgorzata Piasecka, Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Zolnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland.

E-mail: [email protected]

and

Maciej Kurpisz, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland.

E-mail: [email protected]

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Monika Fraczek

Monika Fraczek

Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland

Both authors equally contributed to this study.Search for more papers by this author
Dariusz Gaczarzewicz

Dariusz Gaczarzewicz

Department of Animal Reproduction, Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland

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Kamil Gill

Kamil Gill

Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

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Anna Szumala-Kakol

Anna Szumala-Kakol

Unit of Microbiology, Hospital Medical College, Poznan, Poland

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Anna Kazienko

Anna Kazienko

Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

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Maria Laszczynska

Maria Laszczynska

Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

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Stanislaw Lenart

Stanislaw Lenart

Institute of Materials Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland

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Lothar Beutin

Lothar Beutin

Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany

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Maciej Kurpisz

Corresponding Author

Maciej Kurpisz

Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland

Correspondence

Malgorzata Piasecka, Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, Zolnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland.

E-mail: [email protected]

and

Maciej Kurpisz, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland.

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 26 June 2014
Citations: 14

Abstract

Problem

Biological significance of increased number of leukocytes in ejaculate remains a subject of controversy. The aim of this research was to describe the morphological characteristics of the sperm elimination by leukocytes in in vivo and in vitro conditions using natural stimulator of the immune system—uropathogenic Escherichia coli, O75:HNT, isolated from semen.

Method of study

The study was performed on ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic men with leukocytospermia (n = 10, in vivo experiment) or without leukocytospermia (n = 15, in vitro experiment). Morphological observations were performed using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Sperm removal by active leukocytes mediated by traditional phagocytosis and generation of extracellular traps were observed in in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Conclusion

Our morphological data suggest that human germ cells activate leukocytes triggering both traditional phagocytosis and a novel trapping mechanism, followed by extensive sperm elimination.

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