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Increased IL‐18 Levels in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Men with Genital Tract Infections
Author(s) -
Matalliotakis Ioannis M.,
Cakmak Hakan,
Fragouli Yvoni,
Kourtis Argiris,
Arici Aydin,
Huszar Gabor
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2006.00380.x
Subject(s) - semen , varicocele , male infertility , sex organ , medicine , infertility , andrology , genitourinary system , orchitis , cytokine , semen analysis , genital tract , biology , endocrinology , physiology , pregnancy , pathology , genetics
Problem Interleukin (IL)‐18 is a novel cytokine, previously known as interferon (IFN)‐ γ inducing factor. We evaluated the levels of IL‐18 and IFN‐ γ in seminal plasma (SP) of fertile and infertile men. Method of study Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from 80 men, and were examined for the levels of IL‐18 and IFN‐ γ by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Seven groups were included: (i) fertile men ( n = 18), (i) infertile men with genital tract infections ( n = 17), (iii) with varicocele ( n = 15), (iv) with Klinefelter syndrome ( n = 6), (v) with cryptorchidism ( n = 7), (vi) with mumps orchitis ( n = 7), and (vii) with idiopathic testicular lesions ( n = 10). Results Mean levels of IL‐18 were higher in SP from infertile men with genital tract infections compared with SP from other groups except Klinefelter syndrome ( P < 0.05). However, no significant differences could be detected for IFN‐ γ . A significant positive correlations was found between IL‐18 and IFN‐ γ in total patient population ( P < 0.001). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between IL‐18 and sperm concentrations, and motility ( P < 0.01 and <0.03, respectively). Furthermore, there was a positive and statistically significant association between IL‐18 and IFN‐ γ levels in SP of infertile men with genital tract infections ( P < 0.0001). However, there was no relationship between IL‐18 and IFN‐ γ , and semen parameters in the same group. Conclusion SP IL‐18 levels were increased in men with urogenital infections. Thus, the elevated expression of IL‐18 in SP may be used as a diagnostic marker in the male genital tract infections.