title: A combination of interleukin-6 and its soluble receptor impairs sperm motility: implications in infertility associated with endometriosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously reported that the level of interleukin (IL)-6 is increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) on in vitro sperm motility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm (n = 20) were cultured with IL-6 or sIL-6R, or with a combination of both. After 24 h cultures, sperm motility was evaluated using a computer-assisted semen analysis system. Gene and protein expressions of IL-6, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and glycoprotein 130 (gp130) were examined in sperm by RT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Addition of IL-6 or sIL-6R individually to the culture media had no affect on sperm motion. However, adding a combination of IL-6 and sIL-6R dose-dependently reduced the percentage of motile and rapidly moving sperm. Adding anti-IL-6R antibody abolished these adverse effects. Sperm expressed the gp130 gene and protein, but not IL-6 or IL-6R.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of IL-6 and sIL-6R may be associated with gp130 expressed in the sperm and reduce sperm motility. IL-6 and sIL-6R may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago 683-8504, Japan. souichi@grape.med.tottri-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Souichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tasuku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Tomio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwabe
authors.forename: Fuminori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsunari
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Imari
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Deura
authors.forename: Sayako
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horie
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terakawa
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; C494199:IL6ST protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130