Quantitative assessment of cytokines (GRO alpha and IL-10) in human seminal plasma during genitourinary inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
Mechanisms involved in infertility due to genitourinary (GU) inflammation are unknown. The production of pro-inflammatory (GRO alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in seminal plasma is monitored in this study.


METHODS
GRO alpha, IL-10, and granulocyte elastase were evaluated in semen from I) normal, II) infertile patients, and III) infertile patients with leukocytospermia.


RESULTS
GRO alpha in infertile patients with GU inflammation was 1.5-fold higher compared to group II and 2.5-fold higher compared to group I patients. The IL-10 was higher in group III than the other two groups. A positive correlation was observed between granulocyte elastase and GRO alpha in all groups. Group III patients exhibited poor sperm parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
A shift towards increased production of pro-inflammatory chemokine GRO alpha may have a potential role in male infertility associated with GU inflammation.
Rajasekaran
M
M
Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2699, USA.
Hellstrom
W
W
Sikka
S
S
D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*
C475829:CXCL1 protein, human; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase