INTERLEUKIN-2 IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF FERTILE AND INFERTILE MEN

The role of cell-mediated immunity in the etiopathogenesis of male inf ertility is far from being defined. The cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) has a key role in T-cell mediated immune responses. The aim of this st udy was to confirm the presence of IL-2 in human seminal plasma, to sh ow eventual differences between IL-2 concentrations in fertile and inf ertile subjects, and to show potential relationship between IL-2 amoun ts in semen and spermiogram parameters. Forty-three subjects entered t he study, 20 with proven fertility and normal semen quality (fertile g roup) and 23 with male infertility of at least 2 years and poor semen quality (infertile group). IL-2 levels of seminal plasma in infertile subjects (444.3 +/- 40.5 fmol/ml) were significantly higher than those in fertile subjects (251.3 +/- 42.7 fmol/ml). There was a significant negative correlation between IL-2 levels and sperm count, motility, a nd morphology. No correlation was found between IL-2 levels and leukoc yte count. These findings confirm IL-2 to be in seminal plasma, show i ncreased IL-2 secretion in the infertile group, demonstrate negative c orrelations of IL-2 levels with main spermiogram parameters, and indic ate no correlation with leukocyte count. IL-2 concentration in seminal plasma may therefore be considered as a potential marker in male infe rtility.