MR 22. Correlation between seminal elastase and seminal parameters in infertile men

Objective: To explore the correlation between seminal elastase and seminal parameters in infertile men.

Methods: Semen samples were harvested from 616 infertile men who were treated in our center from January 2009 to March 2011. The elastase was graded as follows: normal, <290 ng/mL; probable positive, 290-1000 ng/mL; and positive, ≥1000 ng/mL. Seminal parameters between samples with different levels of elastase were compared.

Results: Seminal leucocytes and pH was significantly elevated as elastase increased (P<0.05), showing a positive correlation between them; on the contrary, sperm concentration, percentage of rapid progressive motility sperm, sperm viability, curvilinear velocity, and straight line velocity were decreased (all P<0.05). Age, semen volume, and percentage of immotile sperm or normal sperm morphology showed no significant relationship with the elastase levels (all P>0.05).

Conclusions: Seminal elastase is associated with the seminal parameters in fertile man, and therefore may be used as an indicator of genital infections.