Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-10, HSP-60, anti-HSP-60 antibodies, and anti-sperm antibodies, in semen of men with leukocytes and/or bacteria.
OBJECTIVE
Different cellular and biochemical markers have been proposed as indicators of infection-inflammation of male genital tract.


METHODS
Semen samples from 80 men attending an andrologic clinic were evaluated to determine the presence of leukocyte, bacteria, antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis, levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha, HSP-60, anti-HSP-60 antibodies, and anti-sperm antibodies.


RESULTS
Leukocytes in semen significantly correlated with an increase in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. The simultaneous presence of pathogens and leukocytes was associated with high levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha, whereas IL-6 was more associated with the presence of leukocytes. Anti-HSP-60 antibodies positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8. The presence of anti-sperm antibodies highly associated with an increase in anti-HSP-60 antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The type of cytokines present in the semen will depend on the single or simultaneous presence of leukocytes and/or pathogens. Chronic male genital tract infections could be associated with the development of anti-HSP-60 antibodies and anti-sperm antibodies.
Martínez-Prado
Elizabeth
E
Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Baruta, Estado Miranda, Venezuela.
Camejo Bermúdez
María Isabel
MI
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000276:immunology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D014687:Venezuela
D000906:Antibodies; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D016207:Cytokines; C508609:IL10 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10