Production of interleukin-1-like molecules by human sperm cells.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize and localize interleukin (IL)-1alpha and IL-1beta in human sperm cells.


METHODS
Prospective and comparative study.


METHODS
Andrology clinic of a university hospital.


METHODS
Two groups of normogonadotropic men: 17 fertile men (donors with proved fertility) and 8 oligoteratoasthenospermic infertile men.


METHODS
None. MAIN OTUCOME MEASURE(s): Evaluation of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta levels and expression in sperm cells by immunohistochemical staining, immunoassay, and Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
Both types of IL-1-like molecules (IL-1alpha and IL-1beta) were expressed in the tail, neck, and head of sperm cells of fertile men and patients with oligoteratoasthenospermia. Swim-up sperm cells from fertile men and patients with oligoteratoasthenospermia secreted similar levels of IL-1-like molecules. The levels of IL-1beta-like molecules were higher than those of IL-1alpha-like molecules in both groups. The expressed IL-1-like molecules were characterized by the presence a 60-kd protein for both IL-1alpha-like and IL-1beta-like molecules. In some samples of both fertile men and infertile men with oligoteratoasthenospermia, 17-kd, 33-kd, and 45-kd IL-1beta-like molecules were detected. Impairment of sperm function, such as decreased sperm count and motility and/or impaired morphology, was not related to the capacity of sperm cells to produce IL-1-like molecules.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-1 molecules originating in sperm cells may play a role in the physiologic functions of sperm cells (autocrine effect) and/or in cell-cell interactions within the testis (paracrine effect).
Huleihel
M
M
Soroka Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. huleihel@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Lunenfeld
E
E
Horowitz
S
S
Levy
A
A
Potashnik
G
G
Glezerman
M
M
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D007375:Interleukin-1