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Review
. 2022 Feb 2:79:10129.
doi: 10.3389/bjbs.2021.10129. eCollection 2022.

Round Cells in Diagnostic Semen Analysis: A Guide for Laboratories and Clinicians

S Long  1 , S Kenworthy  2
Affiliations
Review

Round Cells in Diagnostic Semen Analysis: A Guide for Laboratories and Clinicians

S Long et al. Br J Biomed Sci. .

Abstract

Round cells in seminal fluid are defined as either leucocytes or immature germ cells. Laboratories undertaking semen analysis often report these combined as a concentration, with no further review, comment or direction for clinician action or review. Although numerous publications discuss the possible clinical relevance of these cells (particularly leucocytes) in infertility, the methods employed to differentiate them are often beyond the scope of most diagnostic laboratories. This paper aims to support healthcare scientists in understanding the clinical significance of round cells and aid their identification, differentiation and interpretation. This will support the quality of care the patient receives and direct clinicians to further considerations that may be appropriate for their patient and should consequently reduce indiscriminate and unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Keywords: WBC; analysis; germ cells; infection; round cells; semen; sperm.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Possible actions following round cell differentiation. This should be used as a guide only.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Rapid Romanowsky stained preparations with ×100 objective and ×10 optics. (A) Neutrophil (A1), spermatid (A2). (B) Possible lymphocyte (B1), multiple spermatozoa (B2). (C) Large phagocytic macrophage with engulfed material (C1), lymphocyte (C2). (D) Three neutrophils (D1), two monocytes (D2, D3). (E) Dividing spermatocyte (E1), cytoplasmic remnant (E2). (F) Possible lymphocyte (F1), spermatid (F2).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Papanicolaou stained preparations with ×100 objective and ×10 optics. (G) Neutrophil (G1). (H) Two small neutrophils (H1, H2). (J) Spermatid (J1), possible degenerate/damaged neutrophil (J2), neutrophil (J3), possible degenerate monocyte (J4). (K) Neutrophils (K1, K2), spermatid (K3). (L) Cytoplasmic remnant (L1), spermatocyte (L2). (M) Spermatocyte (M1), spermatids (M2).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Rapid Romanowsky stained preparations with ×100 objective and ×10 optics. (N) Phagocytic macrophage (N1). (P) Spermatid (P1), erythrocytes (P2); centrifuged sample. (Q) Squamous epithelial cell (Q1). (R) Erythrocyte (R1). (S) Small monocyte (S1). (T) Possible lymphocyte (T1).
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Phase contrast with ×20 optics (except X, which has been artificially enlarged by 50%). (U) Possible spermatid (U1). (V) Spermatid (V1), squamous epithelial cells (V2). (W) Spermatids (W1, W2). (X) Spermatocyte (X1), aggregated sperm with debris (X2).
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Photomicrograph of semen from patient with prolonged ×10 daily ejaculation (phase contrast × 40 objective with × 20 optics) showing multiple spermatocytes and spermatids and depleted sperm. The much more rounded and uniform appearance of the nuclear structures, which are separate are clearly distinguished from neutrophils which have coarsely clumped chromatin lobes joined by thin chromatin bridges as seen for example in Figure 2, cells A1 and D1. Cells containing spermatid nuclei may also varying stages of spermatid to sperm maturation and vacuoles due to sperm emergence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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