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Distinct Expression Pattern of Cytokines in Semen of Men with Genital Infection and Oligo‐Terato‐Asthenozoospermia
Author(s) -
Matalliotakis Ioannis,
Arici Aydin,
Goumenou Anastasia,
Koumantakis Georgios,
Selam Belgin,
Matalliotakis Georgios,
Koumantakis Evgenios
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2002.01086.x
Subject(s) - asthenozoospermia , semen , andrology , male infertility , sex organ , infertility , azoospermia , varicocele , biology , medicine , pregnancy , genetics
PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible relevance of cytokines in seminal plasma (SP) of patients with accessory gland infection and oligo‐terato‐asthenozoospermia. METHOD OF STUDY: Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from 90 men and were examined for the presence of interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐11 and soluble CD 23 (sCD 23 ) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Five groups were included: (1) fertile men ( n =20), (2) infertile men with varicocele and oligo‐terato‐asthenozoospermia (V‐OTA, n =20), (3) infertile men with genital infection and OTA (INF‐OTA, n =20), (4) infertile men with idiopathic testicular lesion and OTA (ITL‐OTA, n =20) and (5) infertile men with azoospermia (AZOO, n =10). RESULTS: We found that the mean level of IL‐2 was higher in SP from infertile men compared with SP from fertile men ( P < 0.05). Mean levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐11 in SP of INF‐OTA were higher than that of all other groups ( P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). However, no significant differences could be detected between other groups. A significant increase was noted in sCD 23 levels in SP from men with ITL‐OTA compared with all other groups ( P < 0.01). We have not observed any correlations between IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐11 and sCD 23 levels in SP and semen parameters. Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed that there was a significant association between IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐11 levels in men with INF‐OTA. CONCLUSION: The measurement of each cytokine separately in the SP of men with INF‐OTA, in spite of the existing significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility. However, a combined determination of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐11 in the SP of men with genital infection and oligo‐terato‐asthenozoospermia may provide clinically useful information for the diagnosis of male accessory gland infection.