Comparative antiviral and proviral factors in semen and vaccines for preventing viral dissemination from the male reproductive tract and semen.
Many animal and human viruses are disseminated via semen, but there is little information on how to measure and stimulate protective antiviral immunity in the male reproductive tract and semen. This information is important since successful vaccination through the stimulation of protective immune responses could be a mechanism to prevent viral contamination of semen and subsequent wide spread viral dissemination. Even control of the infection by shortening the duration of viral shedding and lowering the viral load in semen would lessen the chances of viral dissemination through this route. This review will highlight the current knowledge of immunity in the male reproductive tract and summarize 'antiviral' as well as 'proviral' factors in semen such as cytokines, cells, antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, enzymes, hormones and growth factors. These factors must provide a fine balance between 'immunosuppression' in semen needed to protect sperm viability and 'immunocompetency' to prevent pathogen contamination. The review will also suggest continuing challenges to researchers for preventing viral dissemination via semen and propose a large animal model for continued research in this important area.
Christopher-Hennings
Jane
J
Veterinary Science Department, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Vaccinology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007-1396, USA. Jane.Hennings@sdstate.edu
Nelson
Eric A
EA
Althouse
Gary C
GC
Lunney
Joan
J
D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000821:virology*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D019318:Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D019316:Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D013552:Swine; D019562:Viral Load / Q000662:veterinary; D017201:Virus Shedding