Elena Moretti1, Giulia Collodel2, Lucia Mazzi2, MariaStella Campagna3, Francesca Iacoponi4, Natale Figura3. 1. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: elena.moretti@unisi.it. 2. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 3. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena. 4. Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
Abstract
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. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Sperm laboratory. PATIENT(S): A total of 110 selected men. INTERVENTION(S): Family history, clinical/physical examination, ELISA determination (resistin, IL-6, TNF-α), semen analysis, annexin V/propidium iodide assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Relationships among resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α and semen parameters in the presence of smoking habits, varicocele, leukocytospermia, and in infertile subjects. RESULT(S): 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. CONCLUSION(S): 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.
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 infertilepatients and in control subjects with unknown reproductive potential with/without smoking habits, leukocytospermia, and varicocele. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Sperm laboratory. PATIENT(S): A total of 110 selected men. INTERVENTION(S): Family history, clinical/physical examination, ELISA determination (resistin, IL-6, TNF-α), semen analysis, annexin V/propidium iodide assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Relationships among resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α and semen parameters in the presence of smoking habits, varicocele, leukocytospermia, and in infertile subjects. RESULT(S): 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 infertilepatients compared with control subjects with unknown reproductive potential. A total of 74.5% of infertilepatients showed leukocytospermia. CONCLUSION(S): 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.