Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-5-21
pubmed:abstractText
This study was aimed at investigating whether semen characteristics in different clinical diagnoses of infertility are associated with PMN elastase, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta and TNFalpha levels detected in seminal plasma. Sixty-eight patients were divided into groups according to their clinical diagnosis: idiopathic infertility (group I), varicocele with infections (group II), varicocele (group III), infections (group IV), controls (group V). Physical examination and scrotal Eco-color Doppler was used to detect the varicocele. Patients with positive bacteriological semen analysis were considered as having an infection of the male reproductive tract. Samples were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were quantified with a mathematical formula furnishing a fertility index and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity and necrosis. PMN elastase/alpha1-PI complex levels were determined by ELISA and IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta, TNFalpha by Bio-Plex Cytokine assay. Sperm concentration (I-II: p < 0.005; III-IV: p < 0.0001), motility (I-IV: p < 0.0001) and the fertility index (I: p < 0.005; II-IV: p < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the groups vs. controls, whereas sperm pathologies, except for apoptosis, were significantly higher in group I and apoptosis and necrosis were higher in group III. An increase in immaturity (p < 0.005) with a decrease in necrosis (p < 0.005) were observed in group III vs. group IV. Significantly higher levels of inflammatory mediators were detected in groups III and IV vs. controls. Despite a broad relationship among different inflammatory mediators, no correlation was found among them and the semen parameters, including indices from TEM analysis. In conclusion, patients with idiopathic infertility showed altered semen quality and normal levels of inflammatory mediators. Genitourinary infection and varicocele induced an inflammatory effect which could play a detrimental role in spermatogenesis, revealed by a decrease in sperm motility and the fertility index, concomitant with an increase in immaturity mainly in varicocele and necrosis in infection.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
1365-2605
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
32
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
637-46
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Apoptosis, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Fertility, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Infection, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Inflammation, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Inflammation Mediators, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Interleukin-1beta, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Interleukin-6, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Interleukin-8, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Leukocyte Elastase, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Male, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Middle Aged, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Necrosis, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Semen, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Semen Analysis, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Sperm Count, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Sperm Motility, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Spermatogenesis, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Spermatozoa, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, pubmed-meshheading:18710409-Varicocele
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Semen characteristics and inflammatory mediators in infertile men with different clinical diagnoses.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Surgery, Biology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't