IMPACT OF INFECTION ON THE SECRETORY CAPACITY OF THE MALE ACCESSORY GLANDS
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M. MARCONI, A. PILATZ, F. WAGENLEHNER, T. DIEMER, W. WEIDNER

Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

ABSTRACT

     Introduction: Studies that compare the impact of different infectious entities of the male reproductive tract (MRT) on the male accessory gland function are controversial.
     Materials and Methods: Semen analyses of 71 patients with proven infections of the MRT were compared with the results of 40 healthy non-infected volunteers. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their diagnosis: chronic prostatitis NIH type II (n = 38), chronic epididymitis (n = 12), and chronic urethritis (n = 21).
     Results: The bacteriological analysis revealed 9 different types of microorganisms, considered to be the etiological agents, isolated in different secretions, including: urine, expressed prostatic secretions, semen and urethral smears: E. Coli (n = 20), Klebsiella (n = 2), Proteus spp. (n = 1), Enterococcus (n = 20), Staphylococcus spp. (n = 1), M. tuberculosis (n = 2), N. gonorrhea (n = 8), Chlamydia tr. (n = 16) and, Ureaplasma urealyticum (n = 1). The infection group had significantly (p < 0.05) lower: semen volume, alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and zinc in seminal plasma and, higher pH than the control group. None of these parameters was sufficiently accurate in the ROC analysis to discriminate between infected and non-infected men.
     Conclusion: Proven bacterial infections of the MRT impact negatively on all the accessory gland function parameters evaluated in semen, suggesting impairment of the secretory capacity of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. These findings were associated with an infectious related significant increase of semen pH. None of the semen parameters evaluated can be suggested as a diagnostic tool for infection.

Key words: accessory sex organs, male; infection; semen; alpha-glucosidases; fructose; zinc
Int Braz J Urol. 2009; 35: 299-309

INTRODUCTION

     Infection of the male reproductive tract (MRT) is a common disease that can deteriorate the quality of spermatozoa and impair the function of the male accessory glands; for this reason it is considered one of the potentially correctable causes of male infertility (1,2). However, the physiopathology and epidemiology regarding the impact of infection on the male accessory gland function is still a matter of debate, and the power of different exocrine function markers of the male accessory glands to discriminate between infected/inflammated vs. non-infected/inflammated patients have been reported with controversial results (3-6).
    Male accessory glands secrete several factors such as alpha-glucosidase, fructose, prostaglandins, bicarbonate and citric acid amongst others, which are crucial for sperm physiology. Inflammation “per se” (7) and secondary obstruction (8) have been proposed as possible mechanisms through which different infectious agents may impair their function. Under normal conditions the epididymis secretory factors are involved in the maturation of sperm; its function can be evaluated by the measurement of L-carnitine, glycerylphosphoryl choline and alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma. The secretion of alpha-glucosidase is used to reliably evaluate epididymal function; however, there is no consensus regarding the impact of chronic epididymitis on the level of this marker (7,9,10). The seminal vesicles produce: fructose, ascorbic acid, ergothioneine, prostaglandins and bicarbonate. These factors act as reducing agents and in preventing sperm agglutination (11). A deleterious effect of infection on the secretory function of the seminal vesicles, evaluated by fructose levels has been previously reported (4); however, these findings were not confirmed by other authors (10,12). The secretory function of the prostate gland has been widely investigated: seminal plasma pH, citric acid, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and zinc have been proposed as markers of its exocrine function, their concentrations are usually altered in response to bacterial infection and inflammation (1). However, they are currently not recommended as diagnostic tools to detect inflammation or infection in the MRT (5).
    Since studies that evaluate the impact of infection on the male accessory gland function still remain controversial, we decided to evaluate the secretory function of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and the prostate, using alpha-glucosidase, fructose and zinc as parameters, in patients with chronic epididymitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and, chronic urethritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

    Seventy-one symptomatic consecutive patients (age ranges 23-62) with proven chronic infections of the MRT, attending our special outpatient Department for Urological Andrology were recruited as a study group and 40 age-matched healthy volunteers (age range 20-62), with no previous medical history or evidence of andrological or urological disease and with sterile urine and semen, were enrolled as a control group. The inclusion criteria for the patients enrolled in the study were genital pain or discomfort secondary to infection of the MRT lasting for more than 6 months, no antibiotic uptake for at least six weeks prior the first bacteriological evaluation and, a positive bacteriological finding in the Meares-Stamey 4-glass test. Patients with severe chronic systemic illnesses (i.e. HIV, chemotherapy), previous chronic non-infectious genitourinary diseases under treatment (i.e. benign prostatic hyperplasia under treatment with alpha-blockers or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors) and, history of prostate biopsy, were excluded from the study. Patients were included in the study irrespective of their fertility status and classified into three groups according to our diagnostic schedule (Table-1).



    The diagnosis of CBP was made clinically and based on microbiological tests following the consensus criteria of the NIH (13,14). The diagnosis of chronic epididymitis was performed clinically, sonographically and microbiologically according to consensus statements including search for sexually transmitted disease microorganisms and inflammatory parameters in the ejaculate (peroxidase positive leukocytes, elastase) (15,16). The diagnosis of chronic urethritis was done clinically and microbiologically including the search for sexually transmitted microorganisms and leukocyte counts of the first voided urine and in the ejaculate (peroxidase positive leukocytes, elastase) (16) (Table-1).

Categorization of CBP, Chronic Epididymitis and Chronic Urethritis

    Evaluation of patients with CBP included (17): the NIH chronic prostatitis symptom index German version (18), physical examination including digital rectal examination of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), the 4-glass test with search for common urinary bacteria, mycoplasma and yeasts in all urine fractions (first voided urine: VB1, midstream urine: VB2, and post-prostatic massage urine: VB3) and expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), ejaculate analysis (19), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis in VB1 (Abbott, Wiesbaden, Germany), and microscopic examination of VB3 for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (20).
    In men with chronic epididymitis, the evaluation included scrotal ultrasound and duplex according to consensus suggestions for evaluation of patients with epididymitis (15). The microbiological evaluation included PCR in VB1 for C. trachomatis and Neisseria (N.) gonorrhea, and search for common relevant bacteria in VB2 and in the ejaculate (16) (Table-1).
    In patients with chronic urethritis, microbiological evaluation included microscopic evaluation of VB1 with cytological analysis for leukocytes (Papanicolaou-staining), semi quantitative culture methods for relevant bacteria (N. gonorrhea, mycoplasmas and Candida spp.) in urethral discharge and in VB1, and PCR for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhea (Abbott, Wiesbaden, Germany) in urethral smears and in VB1. Evidence of ≥ 4 granulocytes per microscopic field (X1000) in the urethral discharge smear, or ≥ 15 granulocytes per microscopic field (X400) in VB1 sediment, and either: C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhea positive PCR in VB1 and/or urethral smears, or presence of common bacteria, mycoplasmas, or yeasts with a concentration ≥ 104 CFU/mL in the urethral discharge and/or ≥ 103 CFU/mL in VB1, were considered criteria for diagnosis (16) (Table-1).

Detection of Microorganisms

    The bacteriological analysis of the patients revealed 9 different types of infectious agents isolated in different MRT secretions including urine, EPS, urethral smears and semen (Table-1). The most common isolated microorganisms in all patients were Escherichia (E.) coli (n = 20) and Enterococcus spp. (n = 20). When the different diseases were analyzed separately, Enterococcus spp. was the most common agent isolated in patients with CBP and, in patients with chronic epididymitis, E. coli was the most prevalent. Infections due to sexually transmitted microorganisms were only detected in men suffering from chronic epididymitis and chronic urethritis. Two patients had a previous history of epididymitis due to Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis previously treated with antibiotics.

Ejaculate Analysis

    Complete ejaculate analysis according to the WHO standards (19) including semen volume, pH, elastase and peroxidase positive leukocytes (PPL) determination was performed in all men (21). Levels of a-glucosidase and fructose (total enzymatic activity) at neutral pH were determined by spectrophotometrical methods described elsewhere (5). Zinc was assessed using a commercially available kit (Zinc Kit, Bako, Germany).
    The impact of inflammation on the levels of semen volume, pH, α-glucosidase, fructose and zinc was analyzed stratifying the patients as having an inflammatory or non-inflammatory spermiogram according to two well accepted criteria: PPL ≥ 1x106/mL (19) and/or elastase ≥ 230 ng/mL (21).

Statistical Analysis

    Data were analyzed by the Prisma program for Windows version 5.0. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison test were used to analyze the results of the ejaculate and, Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (ROCC-analysis) was applied to assess the normal ranges of the seminal plasma parameters in the cases where statistical difference was found. Statistical significance was achieved at p < 0.05, all reported p values are two-sided.

RESULTS

Cytomorphological Analysis of the Ejaculate

    Compared with the controls, the patients had statistically significantly (p < 0.05) lower sperm concentration, % of sperm with progressive motility (a+b), % of sperm with normal morphology; and higher: % of immotile sperm, % of sperm with head deformity, and % of sperm with tail deformity. No significant differences were observed in the levels of PPL, elastase and sperm vitality between the two groups (Table-2).

Secretory Parameters of the Male Accessory Glands

    Compared to the controls, the patients had statistically significantly (p < 0.05) lower (mean ± SD): semen volume (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.8 mL), levels of a-glucosidase (79.1 ± 56.1 vs. 54.6 ± 46.8 mU/ejaculate), levels of fructose (59.5 ± 40.4 vs. 38.1 ± 34.2 µmol/ejaculate), levels of zinc (24.1 ± 18.4 vs. 12.1 ± 14.1 U/ejaculate) and, higher pH (8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 8.3 ± 0.4) (Table-3).



    We applied a ROCC analysis to quantify a cut point to discriminate men with versus without infection using the parameters of male accessory gland function that were significantly different in the infection group (n = 71). A semen volume of 2.75 mL was found to discriminate patients from controls with a sensitivity of 62.9% and specificity of 90.9%, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.77, a level a-glucosidase of 56.1 mU/ejaculate discriminated men with versus without infection with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 60% (AUC: 0.65), a level of fructose of 47.5 µmol/ejaculate discriminated men with versus without infection with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 60% (AUC: 0.68) and, a level of zinc of 14.2 U/ejaculate discriminated men with versus without infection with a sensitivity of 75.4% and specificity of 70% (AUC: 0.79). A semen pH of 8.15 was found to discriminate patients from controls with a sensitivity of 58.8% and specificity of 63.6% (AUC: 0.67) (Figure-1).



    The multiple comparison analysis between the different diagnoses, microorganisms and control group, revealed that patients with CBP had statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower: semen volume (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 mL), levels of fructose (59.5 ± 40.4 vs. 37.2 ± 32.9 µmol/ejaculate), and levels of zinc (24.1 ± 18.4 vs. 10.9 ± 13.7 U/ejaculate) than the controls. Patients with chronic urethritis had statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower: semen volume (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.1 ± 1.1 mL) and levels of zinc (24.1 ± 18.4 vs. 13.7 ± 15.1 U/ejaculate) than the controls. Patients with chronic epididymitis had statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower levels of zinc (24.1 ± 18.4 vs. 13.1 ± 14.2 U/ejaculate) than the controls. Patients infected with E. coli had statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower levels of fructose (59.5 ± 40.4 vs. 23.9 ± 18.4 µmol/ejaculate), lower levels of zinc (24.6 ± 18.4 vs. 6.3 ± 7.2 U/ejaculate), reduced semen volume (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.2 ± 1.4 mL), and higher pH (8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 8.5 ± 0.4) compared to the control group. Patients infected with N. gonorrhea presented statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower semen volume (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 1.8 ± 1.2 mL) and lower levels of zinc (24.6 ± 18.4 vs. 8.0 ± 8.5 U/ejaculate) than the control group. No other significant differences between the patients and the controls were observed considering all the other specific diagnoses and microorganisms evaluated.
    The subgroup of patients with inflammatory signs in the spermiogram according to two criteria: PPL ≥ 1x106/mL (19) and/or elastase ≥ 230 ng/mL (21) (n = 36), demonstrated also a significant decrease in the levels of semen volume, alpha-glucosidase, fructose and zinc compared to the controls and, higher values of semen pH (data not shown). The sensitivity and specificity of these parameters to diagnose MRT infection in patients with inflammatory signs in the ejaculate were; semen volume: cut point 2.75 mL, sensitivity 63.2%, specificity 90.9%, AUC 0.79; semen pH: cut point 8.15, sensitivity 61.1%, specificity 63.6%, AUC 0.70; alpha-glucosidase cut point 56.1 mU/ejaculate, sensitivity of 73% specificity of 60%, AUC: 0.65; fructose: cut point: 47.5 µmol/ejaculate, sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 60%, AUC: 0.68; zinc: cut point 10.7 U/ejaculate, sensitivity 83%, specificity 80%, AUC 0.88.

COMMENTS

    In the clinical setting MRT infection has a questionable effect on the fertility prognosis. What seems to be clear is that the different factors secreted by the male accessory glands are crucial for normal conception, since sperm retrieved directly from the epididymis or the testis are unable to fertilize the egg without the assistance of artificial reproduction techniques (22). Taking this fact into account, it is interesting to analyze the effect of different infectious entities of MRT and their etiologic agents on the secretory function of the male accessory glands. Mainly two questions need to be answered, first if the different diseases and microorganisms can cause obstruction of the seminal pathways and by that means deteriorate the normal composition of the ejaculate; and second if they are related to any intrinsic impairment of the secretory function of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate.
    The fact that all patients included in the study group had proven MRT infectious diseases defined according to well accepted consensus definitions, allowed us to accurately identify the origin of the MRT infection. Moreover, in previous reports semen cultures identify significant bacteriospermia in only 50% of semen specimens from men with CBP, thus ejaculate culture is not yet recommended for the first line of diagnostic management in men with suspected CBP (23). The microbiological findings in our study group are in agreement with previous reports (1); N. gonorrhea and C. trachomatis are the most frequent infectious agents isolated patients with chronic urethritis. In patients with CBP, Enterococcus and E. coli were, as expected, the more frequent microbiological agents isolated. Finally, it is interesting that in patients consulting for chronic epididymitis, the microbiological findings gave similar results to those found in cases of acute epididymitis (15), suggesting that under special conditions the epididymis may act as a reservoir of bacteria in the male reproductive tract.
    In our series of patients, we did not find any azoospermic patients, although, the levels of alpha-glucosidase, fructose, zinc and sperm concentration were significantly lower in the infection group compared to the control group. Also, there were no conclusive findings indicating a total obstruction of the MRT at any level. This fact confirms that obstruction is not an important cause of impairment of the male accessory gland function in an infectious setting and although infection has been previously mentioned in the literature as common cause of obstruction of the MRT (2), our findings and more recent studies (6,20) seem to confirm that it is a rare occurrence in patients with demonstrated MRT infection and inflammation.
    Analyzing the secretory function of the epididymis we found that men with MRT infectious diseases (n = 71) had significantly lower concentration of a-glucosidase. However, in the multivariate analysis no significant differences were found in the levels of this marker between any specific diagnosis and the controls, even in patients with chronic epididymitis. Moreover, no specific bacteria had a significant impact on its level. Although Cooper and co-workers (10) found a significant decrease in the level of alpha-glucosidase in patients with acute epididymitis; in patients with chronic epididymitis previous reports suggest that the impact on secretory function of the epididymis is not significant (9). We propose that our series of patients reflect that the secretion of alpha-glucosidase is significantly decreased in cases of chronic infections of the MRT; however, this decrease is not as pronounced compared to the decrease observed in the levels of others markers, i.e. zinc.
    The function of the seminal vesicles can be accurately determined by the level of fructose in seminal plasma, questionable since these glands produce the majority of the semen volume, this parameter may also be used as indirect indicator of its function. When discussing the literature, the impact of infection on the secretory function of the seminal vesicles remains controversial. Comhaire and co-workers (4), in agreement with our results, found a negative impact of infection on the fructose level, but concluded that the measurement of its concentration was not useful for discriminating between infected and non-infected patients due to its low sensitivity and specificity. Vicari and co-workers (24) demonstrated that patients with prostate-vesiculo-epididymitis had significantly lower seminal fructose levels than those patients with prostatitis alone. On the other hand, Bezold and co-workers (12) did not find a significant decrease in the concentration of fructose in seminal plasma in a population of infertile men with sexually transmitted diseases. The controversial results regarding the impact of MRT infection on fructose levels may be explained by the different clinical and microbiological criteria used to include patients in the studies, we believe that the evaluation of patients with suspected MRT infection should follow consensus criteria and guidelines e.g. NIH criteria for patients with prostatitis (13,14) or the European guidelines for the management of epididymo-orchitis for patients with epididymitis (15). Using these diagnostic procedures and criteria to manage our patients, we found a negative impact of infection for the MRT on the fructose level. In contrast, if we had considered the fact that the seminal vesicles produce approximately 80% of the ejaculate volume, a decrease in this parameter would indicate at least in part, that the secretory functions of these glands were impaired, most probably secondary to an intrinsic damage rather than to obstruction, since azoospermia was not found in any patient indicating a normal passage of seminal fluid to the colliculus. The negative effect of infection and inflammation on semen volume has been previously described (25,26). Although semen volume was significantly lower in our patients, the low sensitivity and specificity in the ROCC analysis prevents us from suggesting it as a diagnostic tool to detect MRT infection.
    Secretory dysfunction of the prostate gland is a common finding in patients with documented prostatitis. Our previously reported research (5) found, that the levels of gamma-GT were significantly decreased in patients with inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS); however, it cannot be recommended as a diagnostic tool for inflammation due to its low sensitivity and specificity. In this new study group, including only patients with documented infection, the levels of zinc, identified as prostatic secretory markers were significantly lower. These findings agree with previous reports demonstrating lower levels of zinc in the seminal plasma of patients with MRT infection (27). However, again the power of this marker to discriminate infected from non-infected patients (sensitivity 43.6%, specificity 75%) was low.
    Although, a zinc-rich diet can slightly increase the concentration of this element in the prostate gland (28); there is no conclusive evidence that this therapy can increase the zinc concentration in semen, making the rationale of this therapy unclear.
    Semen pH is determined by the acid secretions of the prostate and the alkaline secretions of the seminal vesicles. In vitro, external pH is an important factor in the regulation of sperm physiology. An acid pH contributes to maintain a non-capacitated state preventing premature acrosomal reaction (29). Higher levels of semen pH in patients with MRT infection have been reported in the literature and could reflect, at least in part, a secretory dysfunction of the prostate due to lower levels of citric acid in semen (30). The importance of semen pH in fertility prognosis of these patients is not clear. However, from a diagnostic point of view semen pH can not be recommended as a tool to discriminate infected from non-infected patients, due to its low sensitivity and specificity.
    Nevertheless, all the evaluated parameters of the secretory function of the accessory glands were significantly altered in patients with concomitant infection and inflammation of the MRT (n = 36) compared to controls. In the ROCC analysis the sensitivity and specificity of these factors to detect infection was not significantly increased, when compared to the whole infection group analysis (n = 71) and were not significant when inflammatory activity was considered.
    Finally, a constellation that includes inflammatory signs in the spermiogram (PPL ≥ 1x106/mL and/or elastase ≥ 230 ng/mL), of low semen volume, elevated semen pH and low levels of alpha-glucosidase, fructose and zinc could indicate the presence of an infection; however, the sensitivity and specificity of these parameters, prevents their application as a diagnostic tool for the detection of MRT infection.

CONCLUSIONS

    Infection of the male reproductive tract significantly decreases the levels of semen volume, alpha-glucosidase, fructose and zinc in seminal plasma suggesting impairment of the secretory function of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. Due to their low sensitivity and specificity these parameters can not be recommended as a diagnostic tool to detect MRT infection. Although semen pH is significantly increased in patients with infection of the male reproductive tract, its sensitivity and specificity to detect infection are low.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    M. Marconi, M.D. is a fellow in “Clinical Andrology” and received a scholarship from MIDEPLAN, Chile.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    None declared.

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    31.

____________________
Accepted after revision:
January 20, 2009

________________________
Correspondence address:
Dr. Wolfgang Weidner
Dept of Urology & Pediatric Urology
Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7
Giessen, 35385, Germany
Fax: + 49 0641 99-44509
E-mail: wolfgang.weidner@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de


EDITORIAL COMMENT

    Male accessory gland infection (MAGI) is a syndrome which includes clinical symptoms of inflammation of the prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, the ductus deferens and the epididymis. There is not a clear discrimination against the term prostatis, glandulitis vesicalis or epididymitis. There is also not a clear classification of MAGI as formulated for prostatitis, although it is likely that different types of MAGI in terms of infectious and non-infectious causes also exist.
    Usually MAGI is caused by infectious agents spreading from the urethra via prostate gland, seminal vesicles, ductus deferens, and epididymis. The frequency of a changeover from urethritis to MAGI is unknown. Infections by viral agents are to date hypothetical.
    MAGI may lead to obstruction of the ductus epididymidis, impairment of spermatogenesis in epididymo-orchitis, to impairment of sperm function and to the induction of sperm auto-antibodies, as well as to dysfunctions of the male accessory glands, which leads to decreased seminal concentrations of citric acid, phosphatase, fructose concentration, zinc and alpha-glutamyltransferase.
    In general, however, the impact of MAGI on semen composition and sperm function, possibly relevant for male fertility, is low and vice versa, none of the dysfunctions can be considered suitable for the diagnosis of MAGI. The paper clearly shows that the diagnosis of MAGI on the basis of semen analysis is difficult and that the diagnosis of prostatitis and epididymitis is more reliably performed by means of an examination of prostatic fluid and imaging procedures.

Dr. Walter Krause
Dept. Dermatology & Allergology
University Hospital, Philipp University
Marburg, Germany
E-mail: krause@med.uni-marburg.de