Immunological Causes

Mahmoud, Ahmed; Comhaire, Frank

doi:10.1007/3-540-33713-x_16

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…There is now widespread agreement that the immune system, spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, the intrinsic testicular functions, are intricately linked by a network of complex interactions. The importance of the delicate balance needed between the suppression of the immune response to protect the germ cells from autoattack on the one hand and the ability to activate an immune response to prevent damage from infection, trauma, and cancer on the other is reflected by the fact that in the human male about 12–13%, in some studies even more, of all diagnosed infertility is related to an immunological reason, while its contribution to idiopathic infertility (31% of all cases) remains unknown (18–21). The mechanisms responsible for the testes’ immune privilege are still far from being understood, but it is apparent that the identified factors involved are multiple and probably redundant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In pathological circumstances, the misbalance between the tolerogenic and the efferent limb of the testicular immune response can lead to the formation of autosperm antibodies and in rare instances, epididymoorchitis in humans. Immune infertility is now estimated to be a considerable cause of childlessness in couples seeking medical assistance (17–21). Over the years, numerous studies have highlighted the impact of the immunological response to spermatozoa in the form of antisperm antibodies (ASA) on fertility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The testis in immune privilege

Fijak

Meinhardt

2006

Immunological Reviews

393

330

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The production, differentiation, and presence of male gametes represent inimitable challenges to the immune system, as they are unique to the body and appear long after the maturation of the immune system and formation of systemic self-tolerance. Known to protect germ cells and foreign tissue grafts from autoimmune attack, the 'immune privilege' of the testis was originally, and somewhat simplistically, attributed to the existence of the blood-testis barrier. Recent research has shown a previously unknown level of complexity with a multitude of factors, both physical and immunological, necessary for the establishment and maintenance of the immunotolerance in the testis. Besides the blood-testis barrier and a diminished capability of the large testicular resident macrophage population to mount an inflammatory response, it is the constitutive expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the testis by immune and particularly somatic cells, that represents an essential element for local immunosuppression. The role of androgens in testicular immune regulation has long been underestimated; yet, accumulating evidence now shows that they orchestrate the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine expression and shift cytokine balance toward a tolerogenic environment. Furthermore, the role of the testicular dendritic cells in suppressing antigen-specific immunity and T-lymphocyte activation is discussed. Finally, the active role mast cells play in the induction and amplification of immune responses, both in infertile humans and in experimental models, highlights the importance of preventing mast cell activation to maintain the immune-privileged status of the testis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The testis in immune privilege

Fijak

Meinhardt

2006

Immunological Reviews

393

330

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“…Interestingly, there are three postulated theories that explain the origin of loss of immune tolerance to the sperm and mounting of immune reactions against sperm as foreign cells. The first theory hypothesizes that newly developing haploid sperm have different chromosomal make up from somatic cells [11]. The second theory claims that sperm are not present during the embryonic life when immune tolerance occurs to self antigens [12].…”

Section: Immunologic Infertilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Contemporary Andrology in Unraveling the Mystery of Unexplained Male Infertility

Hamada¹,

Esteves²,

Agarwal

2011

TORSJ

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Unexplained male infertility is a condition in which infertile men have normal semen analyses on multiple occasions with no obvious physical or endocrine abnormality when female partner infertility has been ruled out. In addition to erectile problems and coital factors, immune causes and dysfunctional sperm may contribute to such condition. Contemporary andrology may help analyze the unexplained male fertility problem on the basis of cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms and select the proper management. This review highlights the concept of unexplained male infertility and discusses the potential causes and its proper management in the era of modern andrology and assisted reproductive techniques.

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“…The present study aims to address immune-infertility due to cadmium exposure. Immune infertility is now estimated to be a considerable cause of sterility in couples seeking medical assistance [3][4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is now widespread agreement that the immune system and the intrinsic testicular functions, spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, are intricately linked by a network of complex interactions. There is a delicate balance needed, between the suppression of the immune response to protect the germ cells from auto attack on the one hand and the ability to have an active immune response to prevent damage from infection, trauma, and cancer on the other [3,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%