Interleukin-6 Expression in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Males

Abstract

The relationship between cytokines and human reproduction has been the subject of a variety of studies because of their involvement in reproductive physiology and gonadal function. Objective: To assess the clinical value of measurement of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in seminal plasma of infertile men and as a marker of male accessory gland infection. Patients and Methods: Ninety men were subjected to this study (75 infertile & 15 fertile). All studied individuals were subjected to; medical history, physical examination, Doppler ultrasonography on scrotum, semen analysis, detection of antisperrn antibodies (ASAbs), serum FSH and LH, measurement of IL-6 concentration in seminal plasma (SP). The studied population were classified into 6 groups; I (fertile), 2 (azoospermia), 3 (immuno-infertile), 4 (varicocele), 5 (oligo-astheno-terato-zoospermia, OAT) and 6 (OAT +infection). Results: Showed that IL-6 was expressed in seminal plasma of all studied groups and its median concentration was 29 Pg/rnl. IL-6 concentration showed a high statistical significant difference between all studied groups (p < 0.001). The highest mean value was recorded in group 6 (76.93 ±13.07) followed by group 3 (52.2 ± 5/09) and then group 4 (42 ± 6.18). No significant difference was detected between IL-6 value and different sperm parameters in studied groups (p > 0.05). However, pH value in group 3 and 6 showed significant difference when compared with that of fertile group (p < 0.0(1). There was no significant difference between serum FSH, LH and IL-6 concentration in seminal plasma (p > 0.05). High IL-6 value was noticed in cases associated with ASAbs. In Conclusion : This study revealed that the IL-6 most probably has a role in male infertility cases which are associated with infection, immuno-infertile cases and with varicocele. Moreover, the simultaneous determination of IL-6 in SP may provide a sensitive and useful marker of silent infection I inflammation of the male genital tract.