R-062. Total immunoreactive α-inhibin in human seminal plasma, sperm parameters and IVF rates

AbstractCytokines are physiological seminal components and their abnormal levels, reported in different pathological conditions, negatively influence the sperm function. We analysed the relationship between interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-33 levels and lipid peroxidation (LPO), measured both in semen and sperm lysate, in 44 human semen samples. The semen analysis was performed following the WHO guidelines. Seminal IL-6 and IL-33 concentrations were assessed by ELISA and LPO was evaluated measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) both in seminal plasma and viable spermatozoa. Two small groups of patients with varicocele and infection were extrapolated from the cases analysed and the variables compared with those of a group of control. IL-33 levels were undetectable in all samples and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with both seminal and sperm MDA concentrations (p < 0.01) and negatively with sperm parameters (p < 0.01). Seminal and sperm MDA levels were both negatively correlated with sperm parameters (p < 0.01). IL-6 and semen MDA showed an exponential positive relationship, whereas MDA values measured in viable spermatozoa were low until IL-6 amount reached a concentration of >30 pg/mL, rising consistently. By comparing the variables in the groups, we confirmed that a high IL-6 concentration in the varicocele and infection groups was concomitant with an increase of seminal MDA levels, but also with MDA measured in viable spermatozoa, which represents the novelty of this study. We identified the IL-6 threshold, beyond which sperm MDA concentration rises concomitantly with the increase of IL-6 concentration. Other studies are needed, considering the increasing number of patients with different pathologies affecting male infertility.

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Human seminal plasma of different men induce different power of uterine contractility in a uterus perfusion model

10.26226/morressier.573c1511d462b80296c9811b ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Inge Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

Seminal Plasma ◽

Uterine Contractility ◽

Human Seminal Plasma ◽

Perfusion Model

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Human Epididymis Protein 4 Quantification and Interaction Network Analysis in Seminal Plasma

Protein and Peptide Letters ◽

10.2174/0929866526666190327124919 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 458-465

Author(s):

Krishna Kant ◽

Anil K. Tomar ◽

Pankaj Sharma ◽

Bishwajit Kundu ◽

Sarman Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seminal Plasma ◽

Binding Proteins ◽

Interaction Network ◽

Prostatic Acid Phosphatase ◽

Regulatory Subunit ◽

Plasma Samples ◽

Human Seminal Plasma ◽

Human Epididymis Protein 4 ◽

Human Epididymis ◽

Core Proteins

Background: A well-known tissue marker of ovarian cancer, Human Epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is the member of whey acidic four-disulfide core proteins family. Purified from human seminal plasma and characterized as a cross-class protease inhibitor, HE4 was proposed to shield spermatozoa against proteolytic factors. However, its exact biological function is unknown. Proteins usually function in conjunction with other proteins in the system and thus, identification and analysis of protein networks become essential to decode protein functions. Objective: This study was performed to explore possible role(s) of HE4 in reproductive physiology via identification of its interactome in human seminal plasma. Methods: HE4 binding proteins were identified through co-immunoprecipitation and MALDITOF/ MS analysis. Also, HE4 was quantified by ELISA in fertile and infertile human seminal plasma samples. Results: Ten HE4 binding proteins were identified, viz. protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 21, protein kinase CLK3, Ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein36A, prostatic acid phosphatase, KIF5C, Spectrin repeat containing, nuclear envelope 1, isoform CRAf, tropomyosin 4, vezatin, utrophin and fibronectin1. This interaction network suggests that HE4 plays multiple roles, specifically in capacitation, sperm motility and maturation. Further, HE4 concentration in human seminal plasma samples was determined by Elisa. Higher HE4 expression in normozoospermia compared to azoospermia and asthenozoospermia affirms its importance in fertilization. Conclusion: Based on identified interactome, it is plausible that HE4 plays a crucial role in fertilization, specifically in sperm maturation, motility and capacitation.

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The effects of Pb on sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation of men investigated for infertility

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0239 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

Author(s):

G.U.S. Wijesekara ◽

D.M.S. Fernando ◽

S. Wijeratne

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

World Health ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

The Mean ◽

Pb Concentration

AbstractBackgroundLead (Pb) is one of the metals most prevalent in the environment and is known to cause infertility and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. This study aimed to determine the association between seminal plasma Pb and sperm DNA fragmentation in men investigated for infertility.MethodsMale partners (n = 300) of couples investigated for infertility were recruited after informed consent was obtained. Sperm parameters were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Seminal plasma Pb was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion with nitric acid.ResultsIn Pb-positive and -negative groups the sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were compared using independent sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test, respectively. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] age and duration of infertility were 34.8 (5.34) years and 45.7 (35.09) months, respectively, and the mean Pb concentration was 15.7 μg/dL. In Pb positives compared to Pb negatives the means (SD) of sperm count, progressive motility viability and normal morphology were lower (p > 0.05) but the DNA fragmentation was significantly higher 39.80% (25.08) than Pb negatives 22.65% (11.30). Seminal plasma Pb concentration and sperm DNA fragmentation had a positive correlation (r = 0.38, p = 0.03). A negative correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility and viability. When the DNA fragmentation was ≥30% sperm concentration and viability decreased (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPb in seminal plasma had a significant effect on sperm DNA fragmentation but not with other sperm parameters.

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