The Relationship Between Leukocyte Levels and Sperm Concentration, Motility, and Morphology

Background: Leukocytospermia is thought to contribute to reduced sperm quality through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, evidence regarding the strength and direction of this relationship remains controversial. Objective: To analyze the relationship between seminal leukocyte levels and sperm concentration, motility, and morphology undergoing semen analysis at Royal Prima Hospital, Medan. Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 40 respondents selected through consecutive sampling from March to June 2026. Seminal leukocyte levels, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and sperm morphology were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) criteria. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation test, the Mann–Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression, adjusting for age and sperm agglutination. Results: The majority of respondents had leukocytospermia (75.0%), and all respondents (100.0%) had asthenozoospermia. Seminal leukocyte levels were not significantly associated with sperm concentration (r = 0.267, p = 0.095), motility (r = 0.149, p = 0.358), or morphology (r = 0.165, p = 0.309). These findings were consistent with the Mann–Whitney U test results (p = 0.211, 0.937, and 0.933, respectively) and the multiple linear regression results after adjustment for age and sperm agglutination (p = 0.088, 0.633, and 0.193, respectively). Conclusion: In an infertility clinic population characterized by uniformly abnormal semen parameters, seminal leukocyte levels were not significantly associated with sperm quality.