2‐arachidonoylglycerol levels are increased in leukocytospermia and correlate with seminal macrophages

Abstract

SUMMARYEvidence has been produced that macrophages can actively generate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in response to inflammatory stimuli. As eCBs are involved in the control of several physiological processes, including reproduction, here, we explored whether seminal levels of the eCBs, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), were higher in the presence of leukocytospermia, and were correlated with semen concentration of macrophages. The content of AEA and 2-AG was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in seminal plasma of ejaculates from 18 leukocytospermic patients (>1 9 10 6 leukocytes/mL) and 21 normozoospermic controls. In the same ejaculates, round cells were phenotyped by flow-cytometry as leukocytes (CD45+), macrophages (CD14+), and activated macrophages (CD14+, HLA-DR+). The levels of 2-AG, but not of AEA, were significantly higher in ejaculates from leukocytospermic patients than in controls and exhibited a significant correlation with semen concentration of macrophages and activated macrophages. Significant associations of 2-AG with macrophages and activated macrophages persisted after adjustment for semen volume and sperm concentration. In conclusion, here we provide evidence that seminal plasma levels of 2-AG are higher in the presence of leukocytospermia, as a marker of macrophages activation. Further studies are warranted to elucidate possible clinical implications.

Characterisation and localisation of the endocannabinoid system components in the adult human testis

“…ion traps and MALDI-TOF systems) might be dismissed as interferences with other background compounds, the risk of such interferences was greatly reduced by the use of a high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer. With the same method we did not detect the other best-known endocannabinoid, AEA, reported by others to be present together with 2-AG in human seminal fluid 30–32 . We found though some supporting evidence for the synthesis of AEA in testicular tissue, as the required enzyme NAPE-PLD was detected in Leydig cells and in Sertoli cells.…”

Assess of the Value of Semen Examination Items in the Diagnosis of Male Infertility

“…Semen contains non-sperm cells, including epithelial cells from the urogenital tract, as well as white blood cells and immature germ cells, which are collectively referred to as round cells [1]. White blood cells are the main component of round cells [8] [9]. The total number of round cells in semen can reflect the severity of inflammation or the state of spermatogenesis [1].…”