title: Interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in normal/infertile men.
abstract: Cytokines play an important role in intercellular communications. Human sperm contains a wide spectrum of cytokines. such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Their effects on semen quality are subject to debate. The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in normal fertile men and in different groups of male infertility in an attempt to clarify the physiology and suggest possible clinical uses. Sixty-six subfertile male patients with varicocele (n = 22). infection of accessory genital glands (n = 14), varicocele plus infection (n = 4), chronic epididymitis (n = 8). post-renal transplantation status (n = 5), idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (n = 9), cryptorchidism (n = 1), and homozygous beta-thalassemia (n = 3) as well as 5 male controls were studied through history, physical examination, spermiograms, plasma basal hormonal levels, and IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in seminal fluid. There was no significant statistical difference regarding IL-1beta and TNF-alpha among fertile men and subfertile patients of any cause. 1L-1beta and TNF-alpha were in tight positive correlation (p<.001). Determination of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha does not provide useful information in male routine infertility workup. Nevertheless, a better understanding of these mediators in semen of normal men and infertile patients may contribute to a new approach to the management of male infertility.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Papadimas
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Goulis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotiriades
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daniilidis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fleva
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bontis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tourkantonis
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone