title: Interleukin-2 in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men.
abstract: The role of cell-mediated immunity in the etiopathogenesis of male infertility is far from being defined. The cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) has a key role in T-cell mediated immune responses. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of IL-2 in human seminal plasma, to show eventual differences between IL-2 concentrations in fertile and infertile subjects, and to show potential relationship between IL-2 amounts in semen and spermiogram parameters. Forty-three subjects entered the study, 20 with proven fertility and normal semen quality (fertile group) and 23 with male infertility of at least 2 years and poor semen quality (infertile group). IL-2 levels of seminal plasma in infertile subjects (444.3 +/- 40.5 fmol/mL) were significantly higher than those in fertile subjects (251.3 +/- 42.7 fmol/mL). There was a significant negative correlation between IL-2 levels and sperm count, motility, and morphology. No correlation was found between IL-2 levels and leukocyte count. These findings confirm IL-2 to be in seminal plasma, show increased IL-2 secretion in the infertile group, demonstrate negative correlations of IL-2 levels with main spermiogram parameters, and indicate no correlation with leukocyte count. IL-2 concentration in seminal plasma may therefore be considered as a potential marker in male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S. Orsola Hospital, University Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradisi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bellavia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focacci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flamigni
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007376:Interleukin-2