Seminal fibronectin in fertile and infertile males

This study aimed to assess seminal plasma fibronectin in fertile and infertile males. Ninety infertile males were investigated; asthenozoospermia (n = 27), asthenoteratozoospermia (n = 30), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (n = 33) compared with 20 healthy fertile controls. They were subjected to semen analysis, seminal plasma fibronectin estimation by radial immune diffusion, serum testosterone (T) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) estimation by ELISA. There was significant increase of seminal plasma fibronectin among different infertile groups compared with the controls. Significant negative correlation was elicited between seminal fibronectin and sperm count, sperm motility grades A, B, A + B, sperm velocity, linear velocity, linearity index, sperm normal forms and serum T. Seminal fibronectin showed significant positive correlation with grade D sperm motility and serum FSH. ROC curve analysis discriminating controls and other infertile groups demonstrated criteria value of < 674 mg l(-1) (sensitivity 100% and specificity 96.4%). It is concluded that increased seminal fibronectin is associated with decreased sperm count and sperm motility.     

精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平及其与精子密度、活动率及活力的相关性研究

目的:研究正常生育及不育男性精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平差异及其与精子密度、活动率(a+b+c级精子百分率)及活力(a+b级精子百分率)之间的相关性,探讨精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平对男性生育力的影响及其在不育症检查和治疗中的作用。方法:分别采用高效液相色谱法和计算机辅助精液分析系统,测定了230例不育症患者(精子密度正常117例,少精子症81例,无精子症32例)和30例正常生育男性精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平及精子密度、活动率、活力等参数。根据检查结果对不育症患者分组后,以SPSS12.0软件包进行统计学分析,比较各组间游离L-肉毒碱水平的差异以及游离L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度、活动率、活力之间的相关性。结果:正常生育组精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平明显高于不育组(P<0.01)。精液中精子密度越低、活力越弱,这种差异性越显著。相关性分析结果显示,精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度呈显著正相关关系(r=0.521,P<0.01),与精子活动率和活力之间也具有正相关关系(r=0.319,P<0.01;r=0.251,P<0.01)。结论:精浆L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度、活动率和活力之间密切相关,其含量测定作为一项有用的生化指标,可为男性不育症检查及临床诊治和进行有关男性生殖功能机制研究提供参考。     

精索静脉曲张不育患者精浆颗粒溶素与精液质量的相关性分析

目的探讨颗粒溶素在精索静脉曲张(VC)患者精液的表达水平及临床意义。方法选择2016年9月至2017年7月在本院就诊的80例男性不育患者作为观察组,其中45例为原发性VC(VC不育组),35例患者不合并VC(非VC不育组)。同时,本研究选取30例健康男性为可育对照组。检测所有入组精液精子密度、精子活动率、精子正常形态比例以及颗粒溶素的表达水平。结果VC不育患者精浆颗粒溶素的表达水平均显著高于可育对照组;此外,与非VC不育患者相比较,VC不育患者精浆颗粒溶素水平更高;精浆颗粒溶素的表达与精子浓度(r=-0.364,P<0.001)、精子活力(r=-0.397,P<0.001)和精子正常形态(r=-0.441,P<0.001)均呈负相关。结论不育合并VC患者精浆颗粒溶素表达水平显著高于正常健康人群,且其表达水平与VC等级密切相关。     

A computerized postcoital test sperm motility: comparison with clinical postcoital test and correlations with sperm antibodies

Sixty-five infertile women had a conventional postcoital test (PCT), a computerized postcoital test (cPCT), and sperm antibody testing. Twenty-four women had good cervical mucus and good PCT sperm motility (group 1), 23 had poor cervical mucus and poor PCT sperm motility (group 2), and 18 had good cervical mucus but poor PCT sperm motility (group 3). The percentage of motile sperm, mean linearity, and the motility index of sperm by cPCT also were decreased in groups 2 and 3 (p less than 0.001) in contrast to group 1. A reduced PCT sperm count was significantly associated with positive titers of antibodies to autologous sperm in the husbands' serum, whereas a reduced PCT motility correlated with high titers of cytotoxic antibodies to husbands' sperm in the wives' serum and cervical mucus. An increased percentage of vibratory sperm at PCT correlated with elevated titers of cytotoxic antibodies to husbands' sperm in the wives' serum and cervical mucus, and hemagglutinating (r = 0.44; p less than 0.001) and immunofluorescent IgA antibodies to husbands' sperm (r = 0.47; p less than 0.001) in the cervical mucus. Mean swimming speed of sperm by cPCT correlated inversely with cytotoxic and hemagglutinating antibody titers to husbands' sperm, and immunobead-binding IgM and immunofluorescent IgG, IgA, and IgM (r = 0.52; p less than 0.001) antibodies to sperm in the seminal plasma. Motility indices correlated inversely with cytotoxic antibody titers to husbands' sperm in the wives' serum, and hemagglutinating antibody titers to husbands' sperm in cervical mucus. The predictive values of PCT and cPCT for the presence of cytotoxic and immunofluorescent IgA antibodies to autoimmune husbands' sperm were 76% and 71%, respectively, in the serum and 85% and 75%, respectively, in the cervical mucus of the wives. The predictive value of PCT and cPCT for immunobead-binding and immunofluorescent IgM antibodies to sperm in the wives' serum was 71%. Computerized PCT measures more sperm characteristics than PCT, although it is in general agreement with PCT.     

Seminal leucocyte subpopulations and sperm function in fertile and infertile Chinese men

The level of seminal leucocytes and the prevalence of leucocytospermia was determined in a group of fertile and infertile southern Chinese men in Hong Kong. Sixteen normal fertile semen donors and 49 men with male factor infertility were studied prospectively. None had antisperm antibodies and past or present evidence of genital tract infection. Seminal leucocytes and their subsets were analysed using monoclonal antibodies and an immunocytochemical alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase conjugate technique. Seminal leucocytes were detectable in 94% and 86% of the fertile and infertile men respectively, with the predominant subset being granulocytes. Leucocytospermia (> 1 × 10⁶ leucocytes/ml) was found in only one of the 49 (2%) infertile men without clinical evidence of genito-urinary infection. Inverse correlations were observed between (1) the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology and the number of T-helper/inducer cells, (2) the linearity of sperm movement and the number of T-lymphocytes. In conclusion, the level of seminal leucocytes and the prevalence of leucocytospermia is low in infertile Chinese subjects. The effect of seminal leucocytes on sperm function in these subjects needs further evaluation.     

Evaluation of tissue factor antigen level in human seminal plasma

We measured the seminal plasma levels of tissue factor (TF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in men and examined their relationship with sperm concentration and motility. The study comprised 71 patients in three groups: an infertile group with ( n=11) and without ( n=50) leukocytospermia and a fertile group ( n=10). The seminal plasma levels of TF were significantly higher in the infertile patients than in the fertile ones. The seminal plasma levels of both TF and IL-6 were significantly higher in the infertile patients with leukocytospermia than in those without leukocytospermia. In 54 nonazoopermic cases the seminal plasma levels of TF were significantly correlated with the sperm concentration and sperm motility. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of TF in human fertilization.     

Melatonin hormone profile in infertile males

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. There is much controversy about its relationship to the male reproductive process. In this study, seminal plasma as well as the serum melatonin levels were studied in different infertile male groups and were correlated with their semen parameters and hormonal levels. One hundred twenty male cases subdivided into six equal groups were consecutively included; fertile normozoospermic men, oligoasthenozoospermia (OA), OA with leucocytospermia, OA with varicocele, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with high serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and NOA with normal FSH. Semen analysis, estimation of melatonin, FSH, testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) hormone was carried out. Mean level of serum melatonin was higher than its corresponding seminal concentrations in all investigated groups with a positive correlation between their levels (r = 0.532, p = 0.01). Serum and seminal plasma melatonin levels in all infertile groups were reduced significantly compared with their levels in the fertile group. The lowest concentrations were in OA with leucocytospermia group. Melatonin in both serum and semen demonstrated significant correlation with sperm motility (r = 607, 0.623 respectively, p = 0.01). Serum melatonin correlated positively with serum PRL (r = 0.611, p = 0.01). It may be concluded that melatonin may be involved in the modulation of reproductive neuroendocrine axis in male infertility. Also, low levels of melatonin in semen were observed in infertile groups having reduced sperm motility, leucocytospermia, varicocele and NOA.     

Assessment of seminal plasma laminin in fertile and infertile men

Aim： To assess laminin levels in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men, and to analyze the correlation of laminin levels with sperm count, age, sperm motility and semen volume. Methods： One hundred and twenty-five recruited men were equally divided into five groups according to their sperm concentration and clinical examination： fertile normozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia （NOA）, obstructive azoospermia （OA） and congenital bilateral absent vas deferens （CBAVD）. The patients＇ medical history was investigated and patients underwent clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma laminin by radioimmunoassay. Results： Seminal plasma laminin levels of successive groups were： 2.82 ± 0.62, 2.49 ± 0.44, 1.77 ± 0.56, 1.72 ± 0.76, 1.35 ± 0.63 U/mL, respectively. The fertile normozoospermic group showed the highest concentration compared to all infertile groups with significant differences compared to azoospermic groups （P 〈 0.05）. Testicular contribution was estimated to be approximately one-third of the seminal laminin. Seminal plasma laminin demonstrated significant correlation with sperm concentration （r = 0.460, P 〈 0.001） and nonsignificant correlation with age （r = 0.021, P = 0.940）, sperm motility percentage （r = 0.142, P = 0.615） and semen volume （r = 0.035, P = 0.087）. Conelusion： Seminal plasma laminin is derived mostly from prostatic and testicular portions and minimally from the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Estimating seminal laminin alone is not conclusive in diagnosing different cases of male infertility.     

Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile males

This work aimed to assess the relationship of seminal ascorbic acid levels with smoking in infertile males. One hundred and seventy men were divided into four groups: nonobstructive azoospermia [NOA: smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; oligoasthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 30), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; asthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)] and normozoospermic fertile men [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma calorimetrically. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels in smokers versus nonsmokers in all groups (mean +/- SD; 6.03 +/- 2.18 versus 6.62 +/- 1.29, 7.81 +/- 1.98 versus 9.44 +/- 2.15, 8.09 +/- 1.98 versus 9.95 +/- 2.03, 11.32 +/- 2.15 versus 12.98 +/- 12.19 mg dl(-1) respectively). Fertile subjects, smokers or not, demonstrated significant higher seminal ascorbic acid levels than any infertile group. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid in smokers and nonsmokers was correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.59, 0.60, P < 0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.65, 0.55, P < 0.001) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms per cent (r = -0.53, -0.50, P < 0.001). Nonsignificant correlations were elicited with semen volume (r = 0.2, 0.09) or liquefaction time (r = 0.03, 0.06). It is concluded that seminal plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly in smokers and infertile men versus nonsmokers and fertile men, and is significantly correlated with the main sperm parameters: count, motility and normal morphology. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen main parameters that could worsen the male fertilizing potential, especially in borderline cases.     

Hormonal and Seminal Parameters in Infertile Men

500 infertile patients (250 with and 250 without left side varicocele) and 33 fertile men were evaluated as far as seminal parameters and the hormonal status were concerned. Sperm motility was constantly lower in infertile patients also when infertile group was compared to fertile one with the same sperm density. Serum testosterone levels were lower in infertile groups when compared to fertile men, and this confirms the existence of an androgenic deficit as a common finding in infertility associated or not to varicocele. FSH and LH increased (p less than 0.001) when sperm density dropped to less than 5 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. A negative correlation was found between both gonadotropins and sperm count (p less than 0.001), also after exclusion of azoo- and oligozoospermic (less than 5 X 10(6) spermatozoa/ml) patients (p less than 0.01). Gonadotropins were moreover tightly correlated between each other (p less than 0.001). Our data suggest that both gonadotropins are tightly tuned with sperm output and thus with the spermatogenic potential.     

Comparison of zinc concentrations in blood and seminal plasma and the various sperm parameters between fertile and infertile men

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between concentrations of zinc in blood and seminal plasma and sperm quality among infertile and fertile men. One hundred seven male (infertile group) partners of couples who were undergoing investigation for infertility with no known cause for the infertility and 103 men (fertile group) whose wives were pregnant at the time of the study were recruited. The subjects' blood and seminal plasma concentration of zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Except for semen volume, all the other semen parameters for the infertile men were significantly lower than those for the fertile group. The geometric means of the seminal plasma zinc concentration were significantly lower in the infertile group compared with those in the fertile group; 183.6 mg/L (range, 63-499) versus 274.6 mg/L (range, 55-420). There were no significant differences in the geometric means of the blood zinc concentration between the 2 groups. Seminal plasma zinc concentration was significantly correlated with sperm density (r = 0.341, P < .0001), motility (r = 0.253, P < .0001), and viability (r = 0.286, P < .0001). On the basis of the findings of this study and those of other reports, zinc may contribute to fertility through its positive effect on spermatogenesis.     

无症状不育病人精液抗沙眼衣原体IgG、IgM类别抗体的检测

目的 :探讨无症状不育病人精液抗沙眼衣原体 (Chlamydiatrachomatis,CT) IgG、 IgM抗体检测的临床意义。　方法 :随机选择 116例无生殖道感染症状的不育病人及 18例生育男性 ,作精液常规参数分析 ,然后分离精浆 ,测定其抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体。 　结果 :①不育病人精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率分别为13 .8% ( 16/ 116)和3 .4% ( 4/ 116) ,而生育男性分别为 11.1% ( 2 / 18)和 0 ,两组相比差异均无显著性 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。② 116例不育病人中有 2 2例为无精子症。其余 94例病人中 ,精子密度异常组的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率分别为2 1.4% ( 6/2 8)和 7.1% ( 2 / 2 8) ,精子密度正常组则较低 ,分别为 12 .1% ( 8/ 66)和 3 .0 % ( 2 / 66) ,但差异均无显著性 (P均 >0 .0 5 ) ;精子活率正常组和异常组之间的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率也无明显差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。③ 116例不育病人中 3 0例CT阳性 ( 2 5 .9% )。　结论 :无症状不育病人的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率与生育男性相似 ,与其精液参数改变无关 ,不能作为CT感染的辅助指标     

alpha-1,4-Glucosidase activity in infertile oligoasthenozoospermic men with and without varicocele

This work aimed to assess seminal alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity in infertile oligoasthenozoospermic men associated with and without scrotal varicocele. Eighty men were investigated. They were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 20), fertile normozoospermic men; group 2 (n = 30), oligoasthenozoospermia with varicocele; and group 3 (n = 30), oligoasthenozoospermia without varicocele. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity by double-beam spectrophotometer method and serum testosterone by radioimmunoassay method. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity levels in infertile men versus controls (mean +/- SD; 7.66 +/- 0.433, 2.088 +/- 0.565, 5.384 +/- 0.85 mU ml(-1) respectively). Mean serum testosterone levels demonstrated nonsignificant differences between studied groups. Seminal alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity levels demonstrated significant correlation with sperm count, sperm motility percentage and serum testosterone in oligoasthenozoospermia with varicocele group and demonstrated nonsignificant correlation in other groups. It is concluded that varicocele-induced hypoxia is the adverse effect that causes both oligoasthenozoospermia and decreased seminal alpha-1,4-glucosidase levels.     

STD/HIV association: effects on semen characteristics

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 fertile/infertile men to investigate the association between STDs and HIV and their effects on semen characteristics and seminal leucocytes. HIV antibodies in semen, andrological parameters and seminal leucocytes were analyzed. Of the 83 subjects, 36 were HIV+ and 47 were HIV- . Only 9 out of 36 HIV+ men and 25 out of 47 HIV- men had no history of STD. The most common type of STD was gonorrhea (65%) and 60% of those who had gonorrhea were HIV+ . HIV+ men had low sperm motility (p < 0.02). HIV+ men with a history of STD had leucocytospermia compared to HIV- men irrespective of history of STD (p < 0.001). Leucocytospermia was prevalent in HIV+ men even with no history of STD (p < 0.05). Non-ulcerative STDs was a risk factor for HIV infection. There was a significant association between HIV- and no history of STD. Impaired sperm motility in HIV+ men may be mediated by activated seminal leucocytes, which could induce oxidative stress on sperm. Leucocytospermia may be a reliable indicator of HIV+ .     

不育患者精浆α-1,4糖苷酶活性与精液参数的关系

目的　探讨精浆 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性与精液参数之间的关系。　方法　分光光度比色法测定精浆 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性及进行精液常规分析。　结果　 2 90 2例男性不育者精浆α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性异常率为 3 8.87%。该酶活性与精子密度、精子活率、a,b级精子活力和顶体酶活性呈显著正相关 ( r分别为 0 .460、0 .1 2 2、0 .0 86和 0 .2 3 0 ,P均 <0 .0 0 1 ) ,而与精液量、精液 p H、液化时间和畸形精子率无显著相关 ( P>0 .0 5)。 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性正常组精子密度、活率、a,b级精子活力和精子顶体酶活性均明显高于 α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性异常组 ( P<0 .0 0 1 )。以常规精液分析法 ( RSA)主要参数正常与否分成的两组间α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性差异有显著性 ( P<0 .0 0 1 )。　结论　α-1 ,4糖苷酶活性对精子密度、活率、a,b级精子活力和顶体酶活性均有明显影响 ,对精液量、精液 p H、液化时间和畸形精子率无显著影响     

Seminal cyclooxygenase relationship with oxidative stress in infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men with varicocele

This study aimed to assess the relation of seminal cyclooxygenase COX‐1, COX‐2 with oxidative stress in infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men with varicocele (Vx). In all, 128 men were allocated into fertile men, fertile men with Vx, infertile OAT men without Vx and infertile OAT men with Vx. They were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and semen analysis. Also, seminal COX‐1, COX‐2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated. Mean levels of seminal COX‐1, COX‐2 were over‐expressed, the mean level of seminal MDA was significantly increased, and the mean level of seminal GPx was significantly decreased in infertile OAT men with Vx compared with other groups. Seminal COX‐1 and COX‐2 were over‐expressed in cases with Vx grade III compared with Vx grades I, II cases and in cases with bilateral Vx compared with unilateral Vx. There was significant negative correlation between seminal COX‐1 and COX‐2 with sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm normal morphology, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with seminal MDA. It is concluded that seminal COX‐1 and COX‐2 are over‐expressed in infertile OAT men with Vx compared with fertile men with/without and infertile OAT men without Vx being associated with oxidative stress, Vx grade and Vx laterality.     

不育男性精浆总抗氧化能力与精子运动功能的关系

目的:研究不育男性精浆总抗氧化能力(TAC)与精子运动能力和方式之间的关系,探讨精浆TAC水平在男性生育中的临床意义。方法:113例精子密度正常的不育男性,28例正常生育男性作为对照组。精液于37℃液化后采用计算机辅助精液分析(CASA)系统进行精液常规分析,采用比色法进行精浆TAC分析。结果:正常生育组精浆TAC为(19.82±6.33)U,不育男性精子密度正常组精浆TAC为(14.37±8.45)U,不育男性精子密度正常组与正常生育组比较存在显著性差异(P<0.01)。精浆TAC与a级精子百分率(r=0.208,P<0.05)和(a+b)级精子百分率(r=0.231,P<0.05)呈显著正相关,精浆TAC与精子运动参数中的前向性(r=0.200,P<0.05)、直线性(r=0.208,P<0.05)、曲线速度(r=0.189,P<0.05)、直线速度(r=0.210,P<0.05)、平均移动速度(r=0.215,P<0.05)及鞭打频率(r=-0.248,P<0.01)之间有显著的相关性,其中前向性、直线性、直线速度、曲线速度、平均移动速度与TAC呈正相关(P<0.05),而鞭打频率与TAC呈负相关(P<0.01)。精浆TAC与摆动性、侧摆幅度、平均移动角度之间无显著相关。结论:精浆中TAC水平与精子运动能力和运动方式密切相关,适宜的精浆TAC为精子运动提供了良好的外部环境,精浆中过低的TAC水平与精子运动能力下降和运动方式改变有关,可能是引起男性不育的病因之一。精浆中TAC分析可为探讨男性不育的发病机制以及临床用药提供依据。     

Metenkephalin in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Men

Background: Enkephalin is one of the opioids, which is expressed widely in reproductive organs. However, the function of enkephalin in male reproduction is not completely understood. The effect of metenkephalin on sperm motility remains especially controversial. In this study we examined the level of metenkephalin in seminal plasma from men with normal sperm production and patients with asthenospermia, oligospermia, and azoospermia to investigate the role of metenkephalin in seminal plasma on sperm function. We also investigated the effect of metenkephalin on sperm motility in vitro.
Methods: Sixty nine infertile patients (31 oligospermic, 21 asthenospermic, and 17 azoospermic) were included in this study. The level of metenkephalin in seminal plasma of these men was measured and the effect of the peptide on the motility of human sperm was examined in vitro. Seventeen men with normal seminograms were a control group.
Results: The level of metenkephalin in the seminal plasma of semen from asthenospermic men was significantly lower than that from the controls ( P < 0.05). No significant correlations between the level of metenkephalin and the mean pathing or progressive velocity of sperm, or serum hormone levels were observed. In the in vitro study, which used semen from the controls, treatment of sperm with metenkephalin (50–200 pg/mL) maintained sperm motility for 4 hours. On the other hand, motility of sperm incubated without metenkephalin began to decrease at 3 hours. Metenkephalin levels of 50 pg/mL in seminal plasma is considered to be necessary for maintaining sperm motility.
Conclusion: These results suggest that metenkephalin in seminal plasma is an important clue in the investigation of decreased sperm motility.     

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in seminal plasma of infertile men, and lipid peroxidation of their sperm

Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in seminal fluid, as well as levels of sperm lipid membrane peroxidation, were investigated in fertile and infertile men. Semen samples, obtained by masturbation from 37 infertile and 14 fertile men, were examined for the presence of TNF-alpha and IL-6. The level of lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane was measured by determining malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. The correlation between the IL-6 and the TNF-alpha concentrations in seminal plasma with the levels of lipid peroxidation of the sperm membranes was statistically evaluated. The IL-6 concentration in seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher than that of fertile men (p < .05). Similarly, the level of membrane lipid peroxidation was higher for the semen of infertile men than that of fertile men (p < .001). A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6 levels in seminal plasma and membrane sperm lipid peroxidation (p < .002), but not between this parameter and TNF-alpha levels in seminal plasma. These findings suggest a possible association between IL-6 seminal plasma levels and lipid peroxidation of sperm membrane. Stimulation of reactive species production by human sperm and leucocytes, induced by the high levels of IL-6, could explain these results.     

Relation between immunosuppressive PGE(2) and IL-10 to pro-inflammatory IL-6 in seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men

In vitro studies have reported that seminal plasma of fertile men has more inhibitory mitogenic effect and higher suppressive activity on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity than seminal plasma from infertile males. Is it possible that variations in the seminal plasma composition could explain these results? The present study was conducted to investigate the relation between immunosuppressive PGE(2) and IL-10 to pro-inflammatory IL-6 in seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men. Utilizing specific ELISA commercial kit, semen samples from 45 infertile undiagnosed and 25 fertile men were examined for the presence of PGE(2), IL-10, and IL-6. The IL-6 concentration in seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher than that of fertile men (p<.0 4). However, levels of IL-10 were lower for the semen of infertile men than that of fertile men (p<.04). No differences were observed in PGE(2) concentrations between both groups. Increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, and decrease in immunosuppressive ones, such as IL-10, could alter the tolerance to sperm cell in male and female tracts and reduce the favorable conditions to reach the fecundation and implantation. It is necessary to conduct further studies that include other pro- and anti-inflammatory substances to evaluate the importance of the immune balance of semen in human fertility.