Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi

Male infertility affects millions worldwide, yet its underlying causes remain incompletely understood. Total round cell concentration (TRCC) in semen, particularly leukocytospermia, has been suggested as a biomarker of impaired sperm function. However, its relationship with sperm DNA fragmentation i...

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Main Authors: Evans Anokye Kumi, Victor Boachie Owusu, Peter Nyarko Coffie, Ebenezer Kojo Addae, Rex Kwadwo Mawuli Djokoto, Kweku Bedu-Addo, John Asiedu Larbi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:American Journal of Men's Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883251359420
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author Evans Anokye Kumi
Victor Boachie Owusu
Peter Nyarko Coffie
Ebenezer Kojo Addae
Rex Kwadwo Mawuli Djokoto
Kweku Bedu-Addo
John Asiedu Larbi
author_facet Evans Anokye Kumi
Victor Boachie Owusu
Peter Nyarko Coffie
Ebenezer Kojo Addae
Rex Kwadwo Mawuli Djokoto
Kweku Bedu-Addo
John Asiedu Larbi
author_sort Evans Anokye Kumi
collection DOAJ
description Male infertility affects millions worldwide, yet its underlying causes remain incompletely understood. Total round cell concentration (TRCC) in semen, particularly leukocytospermia, has been suggested as a biomarker of impaired sperm function. However, its relationship with sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) remains unclear, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where research is scarce. This study examines the prevalence of elevated TRCC and its associations with semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation among men attending a fertility clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 men, with semen samples analyzed following WHO guidelines. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed, while TRCC was quantified using a Neubauer hemocytometer and light microscopy. Sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to evaluate associations between TRCC and semen quality parameters. Elevated TRCC was detected in 19.4% of participants. Higher TRCC levels were significantly associated with lower odds of oligozoospermia (c OR  = 0.30; 95% CI [0.20, 0.92]; p  = .030), a relationship that remained significant after adjusting for confounders (a OR  = 0.18; 95% CI [0.05, 0.67]; p  = .010). However, TRCC was not significantly associated with asthenozoospermia ( p  = .656) or teratozoospermia ( p  = .592). Additionally, no correlation was observed between TRCC and sperm DFI ( r  = .009, p  = .958). It can therefore be concluded that the presence of round cells in semen does not influence sperm DNA integrity.
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spelling doaj-art-c54042b880b14b40a75baf92c8d80a1f2025-08-20T03:09:44ZengSAGE PublishingAmerican Journal of Men's Health1557-98912025-07-011910.1177/15579883251359420Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in KumasiEvans Anokye Kumi0Victor Boachie Owusu1Peter Nyarko Coffie2Ebenezer Kojo Addae3Rex Kwadwo Mawuli Djokoto4Kweku Bedu-Addo5John Asiedu Larbi6Valley View University, Kumasi, GhanaOak Specialist Hospital, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Physiology, Accra College of Medicine, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaMale infertility affects millions worldwide, yet its underlying causes remain incompletely understood. Total round cell concentration (TRCC) in semen, particularly leukocytospermia, has been suggested as a biomarker of impaired sperm function. However, its relationship with sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) remains unclear, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where research is scarce. This study examines the prevalence of elevated TRCC and its associations with semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation among men attending a fertility clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 men, with semen samples analyzed following WHO guidelines. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed, while TRCC was quantified using a Neubauer hemocytometer and light microscopy. Sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to evaluate associations between TRCC and semen quality parameters. Elevated TRCC was detected in 19.4% of participants. Higher TRCC levels were significantly associated with lower odds of oligozoospermia (c OR  = 0.30; 95% CI [0.20, 0.92]; p  = .030), a relationship that remained significant after adjusting for confounders (a OR  = 0.18; 95% CI [0.05, 0.67]; p  = .010). However, TRCC was not significantly associated with asthenozoospermia ( p  = .656) or teratozoospermia ( p  = .592). Additionally, no correlation was observed between TRCC and sperm DFI ( r  = .009, p  = .958). It can therefore be concluded that the presence of round cells in semen does not influence sperm DNA integrity.https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883251359420
spellingShingle Evans Anokye Kumi
Victor Boachie Owusu
Peter Nyarko Coffie
Ebenezer Kojo Addae
Rex Kwadwo Mawuli Djokoto
Kweku Bedu-Addo
John Asiedu Larbi
Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
American Journal of Men's Health
title Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
title_full Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
title_fullStr Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
title_full_unstemmed Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
title_short Total Round Cell Concentration in Semen and Its Association With Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Among Ghanaian Males in Kumasi
title_sort total round cell concentration in semen and its association with sperm dna fragmentation index among ghanaian males in kumasi
url https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883251359420
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