Microscopic and Biochemical Fertility Characteristics of Semen after Shockwave Lithotripsy of Distal Ureteral Calculi

Abstract

PURPOSE: To elucidate the frequency and adversity of the effects of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) on the male reproductive system. We investigated the possible alterations in the quality of semen in patients treated by SWL for pelvic ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The semen of 10 men was examined 1 day before and 5 and 90 days after SWL for distal ureteral stones, in accordance with the World Health Organisation guidelines. The results were compared with those from the semen samples of 10 healthy male volunteers undergoing SWL for calculi of the upper urinary tract. RESULTS: Microscopic analysis of the semen samples revealed a transient decline in sperm density (24.7%), sperm motility (10%), sperm vitality (8%), and seminal fructose (27.5%) after SWL for distal ureteral stones. A distinctly higher number of spermatozoa of pathological origin was detected after SWL in the same group. There was no trace of microscopic hemospermia before shockwave treatment, but it was detected in 90% of the patients with lower ureteral calculi after SWL. Macroscopic hemospermia was detected in two of these nine patients. No deterioration of the semen characteristics and no hemospermia was observed after treatment in the control group with upper urinary stones. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations confirmed a transient deterioration in semen quality after SWL for distal ureteral calculi, whereas no deterioration was observed after SWL for upper ureteral stones. Impaired sperm quality values returned to normal within 12 weeks after SWL, clearly indicating a damaging effect of SWL on seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct function. The initial procreative capacity was restored in all patients.