The mast cells in semen: Their effects on sperm motility

This study was conducted to evaluate any possible association between mast cells and sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. The study comprised 400 patients who had applied for semen analysis. To evaluate mast cells, 6 smear slides were prepared for each subject and stained with 1% toluidin blue-pyronine (pH 4). The slides revealing any mast cells were labeled as mast (+). Concentration and motility was evaluated through a Makler chamber. Kruger's strict criteria were used in morphometric analysis. The mean age of 86 mast (+) cases (21% of total patients) was 31+/-6.7; progressive sperm motility rate was 33+/-21.2. The mean concentration was 32+/-30.2x10 6 /mL, and normal sperm percentage was 11.8+/-6.5. Progressive sperm motility rate in the mast (-) cases were 53+/-25. The mean age of mast cell (+) patients was higher than that of mast cell (-) patients ( t =3.57, p <.001), while they had lower sperm concentration ( p >.05) and lower normal morphologic sperm rate ( t =2.26, p <.024), compared to mast cell (-) patients. The relation between mast cell (+) and mast cell (-) cases and sperm progressive motility was statistically significant ( t =6.44, p <.001). It was concluded that sperm parameters were negatively affected by mast cells.