title: Cytokines in the male reproductive tract and their role in infertility disorders.
abstract: Cell integration between the immune and reproductive systems is the basis for normal male reproductive physiology. Cytokines are a part of the autocrine/paracrine network operating in the male reproductive tract. At the same time, immunological reactions occurring via cytokines appear to be both beneficial and/or risk factors for male fertility. As the cytokines are produced by a whole spectrum of cells in all compartments of the male genital tract, they can also be involved in a variety of andrological disorders. The monitoring of cytokines and other immune factors in seminal plasma may offer a chance to better understand the mechanisms leading to sub-/infertility. In this review, we present insights into cytokine interplay in some of the pathological conditions associated with male reproduction.
authors: Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: framon@man.poznan.pl.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Fraczek
authors: Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: kurpimac@man.poznan.pl.
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Kurpisz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Cryptorchidism; Cytokines; Oxidative stress; Semen inflammation; Varicocele