Controversy exists on the role of leucocytospermia on fertilisation rates and IVF outcomes. The aim of our study was to identify the effect of leucocytes and leucocyte subpopulations on fertilisation rates in an IVF cycle. A prospective comparative study of the leucocyte subpopulations of seminal fluid of partners of women attending an IVF cycle was conducted. The samples underwent immunocytochemical staining. The monoclonal antibodies used in this study include CD3, CD4, CD8 (T Cells), CD14 (monocytes/macrophages), CD16 (granulocytes), CD20 (B Cells), CD45 (Pan Leucocytes), CD56 (natural killer cells) and CD69 (activated T and B Cells). Of 21 patients who were recruited into the study, seven were identified as poor fertilisers (<35%) and 14 were identified as good fertilisers (>60%). Data were analysed with SPSS version 14. The total leucocyte counts (CD45) between the poor and good fertilisers were not statistically significant. The macrophages and the monocytes (CD14) were significantly elevated in the good fertilisers group in comparison with the poor fertilisers (P < 0.05). We also found that T cells (CD2, CD4, CD8) and CD14 (macrophages) correlated significantly (r = 0.47, P value < 0.01) with the fertilisation rate. Our study confirms that the presence of leucocytes does not adversely affect the fertilisation rates and the outcome of an IVF cycle. However, macrophages and the monocytes (CD14) were significantly elevated in the good fertilisers group. The increased phagocytic activity in these individuals might increase their fertilising potential by removing spermatozoa with abnormal morphology.
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