Resistin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and human semen parameters in the presence of leukocytospermia, smoking habit, and varicocele.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationships between resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and semen parameters, sperm apoptosis, and necrosis in infertile patients and in control subjects with unknown reproductive potential with/without smoking habits, leukocytospermia, and varicocele.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Sperm laboratory.


METHODS
A total of 110 selected men.


METHODS
Family history, clinical/physical examination, ELISA determination (resistin, IL-6, TNF-α), semen analysis, annexin V/propidium iodide assay.


METHODS
Relationships among resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α and semen parameters in the presence of smoking habits, varicocele, leukocytospermia, and in infertile subjects.


RESULTS
Resistin level was higher in semen than in serum. Resistin semen levels showed negative correlations with sperm motility and positive correlations with apoptotic, necrotic sperm and TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers and in cases with leukocytospermia, in which an increase in necrotic sperm and a decrease in the number of sperm with normal morphology and motility were observed. Cytokine levels were significantly higher in infertile patients compared with control subjects with unknown reproductive potential. A total of 74.5% of infertile patients showed leukocytospermia.


CONCLUSIONS
Semen resistin correlated with IL-6, TNF-α, and sperm quality; in cases of leukocytospermia and smoking habits, resistin concentrations were increased, suggesting that resistin may play a regulatory role in inflammation of the male reproductive system.
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: elena.moretti@unisi.it.
Elena
E
Moretti
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Giulia
G
Collodel
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Lucia
L
Mazzi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena.
MariaStella
M
Campagna
Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
Francesca
F
Iacoponi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena.
Natale
N
Figura
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; C499624:RETN protein, human; D052243:Resistin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Human sperm; IL-6; TNF-α; leukocytospermia; resistin