title: Sperm Parameters and Semen Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Helicobacter pylori-infected Men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationships between seminal interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) with semen parameters, sperm apoptosis, and necrosis in subjects infected by Helicobacter pylori (HP) expressing and not expressing CagA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 109 selected patients, HP infection and seminal levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Western blotting was used to detect antibodies to CagA. Semen parameters were determined following World Health Organization guidelines and sperm apoptosis and necrosis by annexin V and propidium iodide assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight subjects were infected by HP (HP+); among them, 12 were CagA seropositive (CagA+) and 16 were negative (CagA-). Eighty-one men were HP seronegative (HP-). Semen TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were increased in HP+ vs HP- groups (TNF-α: 41 pg/mL vs 27 pg/mL; IL-6: 11 pg/mL vs 5 pg/mL; P <.01). In comparison to the HP- group, CagA+ group showed reduced sperm motility (24% vs 32% motile sperm; P <.05), enhanced necrosis (33.5% vs 21% necrotic sperm; P <.05), and increased cytokines levels (TNF-α: 46 pg/mL vs 27 pg/mL; P <.01; IL-6: 17.5 pg/mL vs 5 pg/mL; P <.01). Sperm motility of CagA+ group was lower vs CagA- group (24% vs 36.5% motile sperm; P <.05). Both IL-6 and TNF-α levels positively correlated with the percentage of necrotic sperm (P <.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CagA+ HP infection increases semen levels of inflammatory cytokines, which may reduce sperm motility and determine sperm damage and contribute to reduce the reproductive potential in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy. Electronic address: elena.moretti@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Natale
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Figura
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Stella
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonnelli
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, Osservatorio Epidemiologico, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iacoponi
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Collodel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines