Seminal cytokines

Abstract

Cytokines are cellular messengers which play a key role in many biological conditions such as immune defence and reproduction. During recent years analysis of seminal cytokines has become of increasing interest in various pathologies. To evaluate the current role of seminal cytokines we performed a systematic literature search within the framework of our focus group "Male Infertility during Infection and Inflammation - MIBIE". Out of 581 manuscripts we identified 124 original articles which investigated a total of 31 different cytokines. These studies can be categorized according to the following three topics: infertility, infections and chronic prostatitis. The current analysis demonstrates that seminal cytokine profiles are not associated with either semen quality or fertility; however, cytokines might be beneficial for diagnosis and monitoring therapy in patients with urogenital infections/inflammation. Further studies are needed to clarify if a single cytokine or a combination of different cytokines is necessary to evaluate different pathologies.

Cytokines in Male Fertility and Reproductive Pathologies: Immunoregulation and Beyond

“…Cytokines and chemokines produced by resident immune cells and non-immune somatic cells in the testis are also found further downstream in the reproductive tract. The vast majority have been detected in human seminal plasma, and pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL6, IL8, and TNFα are routinely used as markers of male genital tract inflammation ( 158 ). Taking the composition of human semen into consideration, however, changes in seminal cytokine levels are not compartment-specific and do not necessarily reflect testicular (immuno-) pathologies ( 110 , 159 ).…”

Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

“…Additionally, Yu et al have suggested that the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients is associated with enhanced levels of 13 specific cytokines (including IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα), potentially affecting male fertility through damage to testicular cells and impairment of the immune microenvironment [31]. Furthermore, diverse changes in IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10 have been associated with various spermatogenic disorders [32][33][34]. It is believed that altered levels of cytokines could impact Sertoli cell functions [35,36].…”