title: Levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in seminal fluid of men attending an andrological clinic.
abstract: The presence of interleukins (IL) and other cytokines in seminal plasma was demonstrated in the literature. In particular, the levels of IL-6 were found to be related to male accessory gland inflammation. The close correlation to leucocyte count indicates a production of interleukins from the leucocytes and by the prostate gland. No relation of IL-6 levels to spermatogenic activity was quoted in the literature. We measured IL-6 and IL-8 in 454 men and compared the values with seminal parameters. The mean values of IL-6 30.7 +/- 101.2 pg ml-1 and IL-8 2023 +/- 1721 pg ml-1. The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation of IL-6 and/or IL-8 to age, total fructose, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and leucocyte count. The significant correlation of IL-6 and fructose levels indicates that also the seminal vesicles take part in the production of seminal IL-6. No correlation of the two interleukins measured to sperm parameters occurred. The calculation of a single harmonic trend revealed a significant trend over the year of the levels of IL-6 with a maximum in December and a peak-to-trough variation of 33% of the mean. It may be the consequence of a higher frequency of seminal tract inflammations in autumn and winter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, University Hospital, D-35033 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friebe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bohring
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skrzypek
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005632:Fructose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D005632:Fructose