Immunological Infertility in Men: Clinical and Therapeutic Considerations

Friberg, Jan

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-68223-0_12

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Another indicator mechanism of sexual selection (Andersson and Simmons 2006), the "immunocompetence handicap hypothesis" (Folstad and Karter 1992), suggests that the immune system competes for resources with sexually selected ornaments, and that variation in ornamental display reflects variation in immunocompetence. Yet, immune activity may also be related to ejaculate quality because sperm cells are perceived as "non-self" by the immune system and are exposed to immunological attacks in the testes and epididymis (Friberg 1982;Hogarth 1982;Roitt et al 1993). This attack, which may reduce male fertility (Skau and Folstad 2005), is often manifested as high levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) on sperm cell surfaces (Chamley and Clarke 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relative effect of parasites and social status on sperm traits in Arctic charr

Figenschou¹,

Folstad²,

Rudolfsen³

et al. 2012

Behavioral Ecology

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Sperm production and sperm swimming speed, which most likely affect fertilization under sperm competition, are modified by proximate mechanisms. In a comprehensive observational study of free-living and reproductively active Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) we examined the possible modulating effects of male social status (including ornamental development), parasite intensities and immunity on novel traits indicative of ejaculate quality (e.g., ATP in sperm cells, levels of immunoglobulines attached to sperm cells, and the degree of DNAfragmentation in sperm cells). A multiple regression model showed no relationship between DNA-fragmentation in sperm cells and abdominal coloration of charr, suggesting that sperm of colourful males are not better protected against oxidative stress. We found, however, that males with traits indicative of high social status had low amounts of ATP in sperm cells and also sperm cells with low swimming speed. Sperm production, on the other hand, was strongly predicted by parasite intensities only, and these associations were mainly positive.Our results suggest that the presence of parasites seems to stimulate sperm production similar to what is observed among males entering subordinate reproductive roles. Thus, if resistance towards parasites is influencing parasite intensities, resistance may also indirectly be important for the "choice" of reproductive role and in turn investment in primary sex traits.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relative effect of parasites and social status on sperm traits in Arctic charr

Figenschou¹,

Folstad²,

Rudolfsen³

et al. 2012

Behavioral Ecology

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“…According to this scenario, males must undergo immune suppression during sperm production because sperm cells are non-self to the diploid organism, and thus they are targets of immunological attack in the male reproductive tract (Friberg 1982;Hogarth 1982;Roitt et al 1993). Ejaculate quality will therefore be a¡ected by a male's ability to downregulate his immune responses, a process potentially regulated by immunosuppressive androgens (Wyle & Kent 1977;Grossman 1984;Grossman & Roselle 1986;Folstad & Karter 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Females are known to select the most ornamented males (Andersson 1994), and it has recently been suggested that when mating with the most ornamented male, a female may acquire both a high probability of fertilization and heritable parasite resistance for her o¡spring (Folstad & Skarstein 1995Hillgarth et al 1997). According to this scenario, males must undergo immune suppression during sperm production because sperm cells are non-self to the diploid organism, and thus they are targets of immunological attack in the male reproductive tract (Friberg 1982;Hogarth 1982;Roitt et al 1993). Ejaculate quality will therefore be a¡ected by a male's ability to downregulate his immune responses, a process potentially regulated by immunosuppressive androgens (Wyle & Kent 1977;Grossman 1984;Grossman & Roselle 1986;Folstad & Karter 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary sex traits, parasites, immunity and ejaculate quality in the Arctic charr

Liljedal

Folstad

Skarstein

1999

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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Ejaculate quality may limit male reproductive success. Sperm cells are immunologically perceived as non-self in the male reproductive tract and may therefore be attacked by the immune system. Males may consequently have to suppress their immune system in order to produce high-quality ejaculates. This suppression may be in£uenced by the current level of parasite infections, suggesting that only parasiteresistant males are able to produce high-quality ejaculates. In a study of naturally infected male Arctic charr sampled during their spawning period, we found that the density of circulating granulocytes, spleen mass and the intensity of infection by one nematode species located outside the testes were negatively associated with ejaculate quality. This suggests that a male's extra-testicular immune environment may a¡ect the production of high-quality ejaculates and that parasite infections located in the extratesticular soma may in£uence ejaculate quality, a trait most likely under directional selection. Moreover, male fertilization potential was negatively correlated with their red spawning coloration. In conclusion, these results emphasize the importance of parasites and immunity as factors generating variability in sperm quality, suggesting that parasite resistance may be of importance for maintaining variance in reproductive success even after copulation.

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The Testis

Labhart¹

1986

Clinical Endocrinology

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Immunological Infertility in Men: Clinical and Therapeutic Considerations

Cited by 5 publications

References 35 publications

The relative effect of parasites and social status on sperm traits in Arctic charr

The relative effect of parasites and social status on sperm traits in Arctic charr

Secondary sex traits, parasites, immunity and ejaculate quality in the Arctic charr

The Testis

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