Semen characteristics and inflammatory mediators in infertile men with different clinical diagnoses

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating whether semen characteristics in different clinical diagnoses of infertility are associated with PMN elastase, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta and TNFalpha levels detected in seminal plasma. Sixty-eight patients were divided into groups according to their clinical diagnosis: idiopathic infertility (group I), varicocele with infections (group II), varicocele (group III), infections (group IV), controls (group V). Physical examination and scrotal Eco-color Doppler was used to detect the varicocele. Patients with positive bacteriological semen analysis were considered as having an infection of the male reproductive tract. Samples were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were quantified with a mathematical formula furnishing a fertility index and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity and necrosis. PMN elastase/alpha1-PI complex levels were determined by ELISA and IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta, TNFalpha by Bio-Plex Cytokine assay. Sperm concentration (I-II: p < 0.005; III-IV: p < 0.0001), motility (I-IV: p < 0.0001) and the fertility index (I: p < 0.005; II-IV: p < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the groups vs. controls, whereas sperm pathologies, except for apoptosis, were significantly higher in group I and apoptosis and necrosis were higher in group III. An increase in immaturity (p < 0.005) with a decrease in necrosis (p < 0.005) were observed in group III vs. group IV. Significantly higher levels of inflammatory mediators were detected in groups III and IV vs. controls. Despite a broad relationship among different inflammatory mediators, no correlation was found among them and the semen parameters, including indices from TEM analysis. In conclusion, patients with idiopathic infertility showed altered semen quality and normal levels of inflammatory mediators. Genitourinary infection and varicocele induced an inflammatory effect which could play a detrimental role in spermatogenesis, revealed by a decrease in sperm motility and the fertility index, concomitant with an increase in immaturity mainly in varicocele and necrosis in infection.

Differences in the seminal plasma proteome are associated with oxidative stress levels in men with normal semen parameters

“…Heat stress leads to ROS production, which is suggested to act as a cytotoxic agent to germ cells and sperm (47). Additionally, a growing body of evidence has suggested that male reproductive tract infections and inflammation are directly associated with semen oxidative stress (9,(40)(41)(42)(43)(44). More than 15% of infertile men have genitourinary infections or inflammation (48).…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that the main causes of semen oxidative stress are heat stress and immune response (9,(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44). Heat stress is caused by an increase in scrotal temperature, which may be due to varicocele (38), obesity (45), or lifestyle factors, such as work seated for long periods (46).…”

“…Indirectly, the infiltration of activated macrophages and neutrophils in the injured tissue also increases ROS levels, inducing sperm damage (40)(41)(42). Moreover, inflammation in the male reproductive tract may also cause oxidative stress due to the production of ROS and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to decreased semen quality and altered sperm function (9,44,(49)(50)(51). In addition, studies have also demonstrated a correlation between hydrogen peroxide levels and male genitourinary tract inflammation in infertile men (52).…”

A Rare Case of Respiratory Disorders Associated with Two Autosomal Recessive Diseases and Male Infertility

“…13 It has been proved that AAT-D could favor the deterioration of spermatozoids. 14 The mechanisms involved could be associated with an increase in inflammatory activity, because it is known that there is a decrease in fertility in men with inflammatory diseases. 15 In our patient, probably the epididymal cysts observed in both caputs may be related to the AAT-D.…”

“…14 The mechanisms involved could be associated with an increase in inflammatory activity, because it is known that there is a decrease in fertility in men with inflammatory diseases. 15 In our patient, probably the epididymal cysts observed in both caputs may be related to the AAT-D. Sperm are produced in the testis but mature in the epididymis, where they stay for at least 15 days; in this organ they acquire lineal motility and suffer some biochemical changes known as “decapacitation,” a phenomenon that enables them for their long trip to the ovum.…”