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Levels of interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 in seminal fluid of men attending an andrological clinic
Author(s) -
Friebe K.,
Bohring C.,
Skrzypek J.,
Krause W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2003.00544.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , seminal vesicle , interleukin , sperm , positive correlation , andrology , interleukin 6 , interleukin 1β , inflammation , cytokine , chemistry , prostate , cancer
Summary. The presence of interleukins (IL) and other cytokines in seminal plasma was demonstrated in the literature. In particular, the levels of IL‐6 were found to be related to male accessory gland inflammation. The close correlation to leucocyte count indicates a production of interleukins from the leucocytes and by the prostate gland. No relation of IL‐6 levels to spermatogenic activity was quoted in the literature. We measured IL‐6 and IL‐8 in 454 men and compared the values with seminal parameters. The mean values of IL‐6 30.7 ± 101.2 pg ml −1 and IL‐8 2023 ± 1721 pg ml −1 . The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation of IL‐6 and/or IL‐8 to age, total fructose, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and leucocyte count. The significant correlation of IL‐6 and fructose levels indicates that also the seminal vesicles take part in the production of seminal IL‐6. No correlation of the two interleukins measured to sperm parameters occurred. The calculation of a single harmonic trend revealed a significant trend over the year of the levels of IL‐6 with a maximum in December and a peak‐to‐trough variation of 33% of the mean. It may be the consequence of a higher frequency of seminal tract inflammations in autumn and winter.