Prostatic markers, lactoferrin and infertility in chronic non bacterial prostatitis

ABSTRACT

Chronic prostatitis, whether of bacterial or nonbacterial origin, is a pathological entity commonly considered difficult to diagnose and to manage. Some studies do not relate it as a cause of infertility, while others indicate that these cases are always accompanied by bacterial infection only. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between semen parameters and biochemical prostatic markers acid phosphatase [enzyme], Zinc [ion], citric acid [metabolite], and lactoferrin [protein] in normal fertile males [control] and infertile patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. A significant decrease in both the total count and per ml, percentage of motile and viable sperms, percentage abnormal forms in semen, and number of WBCs in expressed prostatic secretion were found in patients when compared to the values of normal controls. Also, biochemical analysis of the prostatic markers, acid phosphatase, zinc and citric acid were decreased, while lactoferrin values were significantly increased in patients than normal controls. Infertile patients with chronic nonbacterial prostattis have lower semen quality compared with normal fertile males, suggesting that their fertility problems are physiological in nature, and that the functions of the prostate are affected. Thus, deterrmination of the changes in the prostatic markers may offer a clue in the patients infertility