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Prevalence of Cysts in Seminal Tract and Abnormal Semen Parameters in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Roser Torra^*, Joaquim Sarquella, Jordi Calabia^*, Jordi Martí, Elisabet Ars, Patricia Fernández-Llama^*, and Jose Ballarin^*

Departments of ^* Nephrology, Andrology, Radiology, and Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain

Correspondence: Dr. Roser Torra, Inherited Renal Disorders, Nephrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Cartagena 340-350, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. Phone: 34-93-4169700; Fax: 34-93-4169730; E-mail: rtorra{at}fundacio-puigvert.es

Background and objectives: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a systemic disorder with a wide range of extrarenal involvement. The scope of this study was to analyze the prevalence of seminal cysts and to correlate these findings with the sperm parameters in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A prospective study enrolled 30 adult men with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Of these 30 patients, 22 agreed to provide a semen sample for analysis, and 28 of 30 agreed to undergo an ultrasound rectal examination. Data obtained from the semen tests and from the ultrasound study were compared.

Results: Cysts in the seminal tract were present in 10 (43.47%) of 28 individuals. Twenty of 22 patients showed abnormal semen parameters, with asthenozoospermia as the most common finding. No correlation between ultrasound findings and sperm abnormalities was observed.

Conclusions: The presence of cysts in the seminal tract is remarkably high (43.47%); however, this finding does not correlate with sperm abnormalities, which are also a frequent finding, especially asthenozoospermia. This semen abnormality is probably related to the abnormal function of polycystins. More attention should be paid to reproductive aspects in the initial evaluation of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease before their ability to conceive is further impaired by uremia.