title: Semen apoptotic M540 body levels correlate with testis abnormalities: a study in a cohort of infertile subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  What are the associations between semen apoptotic M540 bodies and other parameters of semen quality and sonographic alterations of the male genital tract in a cohort of infertile subjects?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In infertile subjects, semen M450 bodies are highly correlated with ultrasound and clinical signs of testis abnormalities but not with alterations of other parts of the male genital tract, suggesting a testicular origin of M540 bodies.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  We have reported the presence in semen of round anucleate elements, named 'M540 bodies', resembling apoptotic bodies as they contain several apoptotic markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of 130 males with couple infertility were evaluated, during the same day session, for clinical, scrotal and transrectal color-Doppler ultrasound characteristics, and hormonal and semen parameters, including interleukin 8 (sIL-8) and M540 body levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen parameters were analyzed by WHO recommended procedures. CDU was performed using the ultrasonographic console Hitachi H21. sIL-8 and serum hormones were evaluated by ELISA methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average percentage value of M540 bodies was 24.6 ± 18.3. After adjusting for possible confounders (age, waist, calculated free testosterone and smoking habit), M450 body levels negatively correlated with sperm number/ejaculate, progressive motility, normal morphology and sIL-8 levels (adj.r = -0.455, P < 0.0001; adj.r = -0.464, P < 0.0001; adj.r = -0.430, P < 0.001; adj.r = -0.236, P < 0.05, respectively). In a subset of patients with a history of cryptorchidism (n = 8), M540 bodies were higher than in non-cryptorchid men (40.5 ± 14.8 versus 23.6 ± 18.2%; P < 0.02). A negative correlation was found between M540 and ultrasound testis volume (adj.r = -0.241, P < 0.05), whereas a positive association was found with testis inhomogeneity [HR = 1.06 (1.02-1.09); P = 0.002], hypoechogenicity [HR = 1.05 (1.01-1.08); P < 0.02] and FSH levels (adj.r = 0.309, P < 0.01). No relationships were found with CDU characteristic of the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymis and vas deferens. In a multivariate model, testis inhomogeneity and history of cryptorchidism were independently associated with M540 body levels (adj.r = 0.355, P < 0.01 and adj.r = 0.223, P < 0.05, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that at the threshold of 27%, M540 bodies discriminate subjects with testis inhomogeneity with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 73%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased M540 body semen levels in men with a history of cryptorchidism should be confirmed in a larger number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  M540 bodies may be considered a semen marker of altered testis function and thus their evaluation may be helpful in the diagnosis of male infertility.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This work was supported by grants from Ministry of University and Scientific Research (Prin project to E.B. and FIRB project to S.M.) and Regione Toscana (to G.F.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, Sexual Medicine and Andrology and Endocrinology Units,  University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence,  Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamburrino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marchiani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muratori
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Fino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degl'Innocenti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000473:pathology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D016209:Interleukin-8; D013739:Testosterone