Semen quality and presence of cytokines in seminal fluid of bull ejaculates.
It has been postulated that cytokines play an immunoregulatory role in human semen. The presence and levels of various cytokines, namely the interleukins 6, 10 (IL-6 and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) were investigated in the seminal plasma of six fertile crossbred bulls (Bos taurus x Bos indicus), using specific enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine levels were related to the semen quality of these bulls. A direct significant correlation between the level of IL-10 and individual sperm motility (r=0.84, P<0.036) was observed. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were inversely correlated (r=-0.93, P<0.006) and likewise in the same way an inverse correlation between the level of IL-6 and TNFalpha was observed (r=-0.84, P<0.037). These results confirm that cytokines are present in bull semen as has been demonstrated in human semen.
Vera
Oscar
O
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela. verao@camelot.rect.ucv.ve
Vásqucz
Luis A
LA
Muñoz
M Gladys
MG
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10