Table 2.
Semen parameters of the study population compared with WHO 2021 reference values [19].
| Parameter | Patients with Chronic Prostatitis/CPPS (n = 674) |
WHO 2021 Reference Values 1 | p 1 | Number of Patients | Out of Reference Value (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 2.3 (1.2–3.5) | 1.4 2 | <0.001 | 674 | 27.5 |
| pH value | 7.6 (7.4–7.9) | ≥7.2 3 | n.a. | 672 | 4.6 |
| Sperm concentration (106/mL) | 44.0 (16.8–102.45) | 16 2 | <0.001 | 673 | 24.4 |
| Total sperm count (106/ejaculate) | 63 (0–205.8) | 39 2 | <0.001 | 664 | 43.4 |
| Progressive motility (%) | 47 (30–55) | 30 2 | <0.001 | 655 | 27.2 |
| Sperm vitality (%) | 60 (44.25–73) | 58 2 | <0.001 | 196 | 44.4 |
| Normal morphology (%) | 8 (4–13) | 4 2 | 0.563 | 619 | 25.4 |
| α-glucosidase (mU/ejaculate) | 28.15 (13.9–55.6) | ≥20/ejaculate 3 | n.a. | 639 | 37.3 |
| Fructose (µmol/ejaculate) | 16.1 (8.2–32.4) | ≥13/ejaculate 3 | n.a. | 647 | 39.7 |
| Zinc (µmol/ejaculate) | 4.9 (2.7–10.6) | ≥2.4/ejaculate 3 | n.a. | 538 | 21.6 |
| Peroxidase-positive leukocytes (106/mL) | 0 (0–3) | <1 3 | n.a. | 450 | 44.4 |
| Elastase (ng/mL) | 37.0 (12.48–109.75) | <250 4 | n.a. | 624 | 11.3 |
| Interleukin-8 (pg/mL) | 3706.5 (2035.25–6860.75) | <10,000 4 | n.a. | 563 | 14.9 |
n.a., not applicable. 1 Fisher’s exact test comparing WHO 2021 reference group and patients with chronic prostatitis/CPPS based on lower reference limits/5th percentiles. 2 Lower reference limit based on 5th percentile. 3 Consensus-based reference values. 4 Threshold levels established in the Giessen Andrology laboratory.