Seminal parameters of chronic male genital inflammation are associated with disturbed sperm DNA integrity

Abstract

Definition of chronic male genital tract inflammation and its impact on male infertility is still a matter of debate. In particular, DNA integrity has been reported to be disturbed in subfertile men. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate an association of DNA integrity to altered standard semen parameters as well as inflammatory parameters such as peroxidase-positive cells, macrophages and seminal interleukin-6 concentration. Macrophages were detected by CD18/HLA-Dr staining, and DNA integrity was analysed by acridine orange staining using flow cytometry. Interleukin-6 was detected by ELISA. Normal DNA integrity showed a significant correlation to sperm number and progressive motility. Moreover, a significant inverse correlation of DNA integrity to Interleukin-6 and macrophages could be demonstrated. Further on, seminal interleukin-6 also significantly correlated to macrophages. No association has been observed between the number of peroxidase-positive cells and normal DNA integrity. As disturbed DNA integrity has been reported to negatively influence spermatozoon-egg interaction and even fertilisation rates following ICSI, and as early miscarriages have been associated with sperm DNA damage, it should be screened very carefully for male genital tract inflammations in couples undergoing infertility treatment. Measuring Interleukin-6 seems superior to assessment of the number of leucocytes alone and additional assessment of DNA integrity into the diagnostic work-up should be considered.

The association of seminal leucocytes, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 with sperm DNA fragmentation: A prospective study

“…Our result is in line with reports indicating no link between peroxidase-positive leucocytes and chromatin damage (Cohen-Bacrie et al, 2009;Haidl et al, 2015;Henkel et al, 2005). Hence, sperm chromatin impairment might be addressed to testicular and epididymal dysfunction.…”

“…The effect of these cytokines on DNA chromatin structure has been evaluated in few studies, but results are inconclusive. While IL-6 concentrations correlated with sperm chromatin impairment in vivo (Haidl, Haidl, Oltermann, & Allam, 2015), this finding was not confirmed by others (Kopa, Wenzel, Papp, & Haidl, 2005). While IL-6 concentrations correlated with sperm chromatin impairment in vivo (Haidl, Haidl, Oltermann, & Allam, 2015), this finding was not confirmed by others (Kopa, Wenzel, Papp, & Haidl, 2005).…”

“…Therefore, the harmful effect of leucocytes conditioned by oxidative stress on the chromatin integrity of sperm cells in the testis and epididymis might be substantially greater than the time during ejaculation, where leucocytes are in contact with sperm cells for seconds only. In addition, the involvement of leucocyte subpopulation macrophages (Haidl et al, 2015) and dendritic cells (Duan et al, 2014) (Duan et al, 2014;Wolff, 1995), the majority of PMN leucocytes are originated from accessory glands (Wolff, 1995) with very short sperm contact time and subsequent minimal damage to chromatin structure. In addition, the involvement of leucocyte subpopulation macrophages (Haidl et al, 2015) and dendritic cells (Duan et al, 2014) (Duan et al, 2014;Wolff, 1995), the majority of PMN leucocytes are originated from accessory glands (Wolff, 1995) with very short sperm contact time and subsequent minimal damage to chromatin structure.…”

“…The reports concerning the in vivo effect of IL-6 on chromatin damage are scarce and inconsistent (Haidl et al, 2015;Kopa et al, 2005). The reports concerning the in vivo effect of IL-6 on chromatin damage are scarce and inconsistent (Haidl et al, 2015;Kopa et al, 2005).…”

Mechanisms of the harmful effects of bacterial semen infection on ejaculated human spermatozoa: potential inflammatory markers in semen

“…Taking into consideration the fact that the increased sperm head length is usually accompanied by the sperm nuclear anomalies, factors other than conventional semen parameters can be a major issue to diagnose urogenital tract infections/inflammations. In this context, the assessment of DNA integrity can provide more information about the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of infertility [43]. This will be discussed in details later in this review.…”