Cytokine expression in the seminal plasma and its effects on fertilisation rates in an IVF cycle

Abstract

Cytokines are released by various immunocompetent cell subsets in the male urogenital tract and are thought to affect sperm cell function and reproductive process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels and a possible role of seven seminal plasma cytokines with fertilisation rates in men attending an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme. A total of 36 men of couples who were undergoing traditional IVF in a regional reproductive medicine unit were recruited into this prospective study. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the seminal plasma were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11 and IFN-γ were detected in all samples. IL-12, and TNF-α were detected in most samples. Levels of IL-11 were significantly higher in the good fertiliser group (P ≤ 0.05). Positive correlation between cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.03), IL-10 and IL-11 (P < 0.001) and IFN-γ and IL-10 and IL-11 (P < 0.04 and P < 0.0001 respectively) were found. Our study confirms that the six cytokines other than IL-11 do not affect spermatozoon-oocyte interaction and fertilisation rates in IVF. IL-11 could have a role in the fertilising capacity of the spermatozoa. Significant correlation exists among these cytokines which shows that cytokines rarely act in isolation but rather in a network.

The Seminal Plasma of the Boar is Rich in Cytokines, with Significant Individual and Intra-Ejaculate Variation

“…16,31,32 In contrast, the concentration of INF-γ, MDC, IL-8 and TGF-β3 are apparently lower in boar SP than in human SP. 16,19,23 Whether these differences simply represent species differences or whether they have a relationship to physiological events in the male or the female, remains to be determined.…”

“…5,6 For instance, to the best of our knowledge, only few cytokines have been identified in boar SP, namely the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 1 and 2, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and correlations with sperm quality and fertility. 22,23 Whether the boar SP possess a similarly full battery of cytokines remains to be explored.…”

“…20,21 In comparison, many other cytokines, for example IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, IL-23 and IFN-c, have been found in human ejaculates, some of them displaying either positive or negative correlations with sperm quality and fertility. 22,23 Whether the boar SP possess a similarly, full battery of cytokines remains to be explored.…”

Untreated Psoriasis Impairs Male Fertility: A Case-Control Study

“…As a consequence, the diagnostic value of seminal leukocytes has been questioned [25,26] . The role of many proinflammatory cytokines has been intensively investigated in male accessory gland inflammation, although their relationship with semen parameters has not been fully clarified [27][28][29] . We have recently reported that suPAR may represent a specific and sensitive marker to be used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of accessory gland inflammation [30] .…”

Influence of immunocorrection on the inflammatory process in the urogenital tract in men with infertility

“…Цілком зрозуміло, що під час запального процесу в урогенітальному тракті чоловіків вміст цитокінів і біологічних активних речовин, що регулюють їх функціональну активність зазнають певних змін. У чоловіків з наявніс-тю хронічої урогенітальної інфекції було за-реєстровано суттєве зростання концентрації низки цитокінів -IЛ-1β, IЛ-5, IЛ-6, IЛ-13, IЛ-15, IЛ-17, IЛ-23, ІФН-α, моноцитарного хемотаксичного фактора (МХФ) та меншою мірою -IЛ-2, IЛ-10, IЛ-12, IЛ-18, ФНП-α, ІФН-γ [14]. Підвищений вміст цих медіато-рів запалення вказує на залучення імунних факторів для захисту чоловічого генітального тракту.…”