Male Genital Tract Inflammation: The Role of Selected Interleukins in Regulation of Pro‐Oxidant and Antioxidant Enzymatic Substances in Seminal Plasma

Abstract

Human semen contains spermatozoa as well as populations of round nonspermatozoal cells primarily consisting of leukocytes. Activation of white blood cells present in the seminal plasma during genital tract inflammation and cellular reactions against microbial agents may provoke a release of a variety of products such as cytokines and reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a panel of selected cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1␤, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-␣ [TNF␣]) detectable in seminal plasma during male genital tract inflammation could be considered as mediators between altered semen parameters and changed levels of pro-oxidant and antioxidant substances. Studies using chemiluminometric, spectrophotometric, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods indicate that proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1␤, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF␣ may modulate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in the male genital tract. The data also suggest that the function of pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems in semen may directly influence basic semen parameters. The elevated numbers of leukocytes present in semen during male genital tract inflammation without an associated contribution of cytokines and semen antioxidant capacity appear to be of little prognostic value in evaluating male fertilization potential.

Prevalence of sexually transmissible pathogens in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia

“…LCS was associated with decreased sperm count, % normal forms and fructose concentration, a measure of seminal vesicle function. Thus, the present study confirms and extends earlier reports that STIs and LCS are associated with poor semen quality (7,13,45,48,49,51,64,65,70,(77)(78)(79)(80)(81)(82).…”

“…Similarly, concentrations of all three inflammation markers (PMNs, PMN-elastase and IL-1β) were significantly correlated with one another, which was expected, as both PMNs and macrophages are important participants in inflammatory responses, and because numbers of PMNs and macrophages in semen are highly correlated (9,45,48,49,86). STI DNA was not associated with elevations in any of these inflammation markers.…”

“…Interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-IL-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine primarily secreted by macrophages and epithelial cells, has been associated with LCS, accessory gland inflammation, CT infection, and decreased sperm parameters (45)(46)(47)(48)(49). We measured concentrations of IL-1β in seminal plasma using a commercially available ELISA kit (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA, USA) following the manufacturer's protocol.…”

Effect of threonine on immunity and reproductive performance of male mice infected with pseudorabies virus

“…The results from the present study indicated that the concentrations of IL-1b and TNF-a in the testes of male mice infected with PRV were increased, which were similar to other studies (Sanocka et al, 2003). Sanocka et al (2003) found that seminal plasma IL-1b concentration from normozoospermic infertile men with genital tract inflammation was significantly higher than that of controls. Other studies have shown that TNF-a concentration in the seminal plasma of patients with bacterial or mycoplasmal infections was higher than in normal controls (Gruschwitz et al, 1996).…”

“…TNF-a is another pro-inflammatory cytokine in the initiation and orchestration of the inflammatory response against invading microorganisms (Hales et al, 1999). The results from the present study indicated that the concentrations of IL-1b and TNF-a in the testes of male mice infected with PRV were increased, which were similar to other studies (Sanocka et al, 2003). Sanocka et al (2003) found that seminal plasma IL-1b concentration from normozoospermic infertile men with genital tract inflammation was significantly higher than that of controls.…”