title: Interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in asthenozoospermia.
abstract: Impaired male fertility may have a variety of causes, among which asthenozoospermia. In its etiology, several bioactive substances, such as cytokines may be involved. In this context, our aim was to evaluate the expression of interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, in spermatozoa isolated from normospermic fertile donors and asthenozoospermic infertile patients. We evaluated twenty-eight infertile patients affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia and twenty-three normospermic fertile donors, age-matched. Sperm parameters were evaluated; immunohistochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were then performed in isolated spermatozoa. Spermatozoa from the asthenozoospermic group presented an increased expression of IL-1β, COX-2, and HIF-1α compared with the normospermic fertile subjects. Our results can lead us to speculate that the increased expression of these substances may influence sperm motility. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to assess whether these bioactive mediators have a potential relevance as targets in future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of male infertility.
authors: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Histology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Eleonora
authors: E
authors: Salvolini
authors: Eddi
authors: E
authors: Buldreghini
authors: Guendalina
authors: G
authors: Lucarini
authors: Arianna
authors: A
authors: Vignini
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Giulietti
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Lenzi
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Mazzanti
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Di Primio
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Balercia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2