INTERLEUKIN-2 AND HUMAN SEMINAL PLASMA

Involvment of the cytokines in male infertility were considered from i n vitro studies, however the nature and the role of the mediator susce ptible of arising in vivo is not completely elucidated. The purpose of this study is to measure the concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) i n normal and pathologic seminal fluid and to analyse their relationshi p with semen parameters. Our results demonstrate the presence of IL-2 in seminal fluid. Comparatively to normal seminal fluid, significant l ower IL-2 concentrations were observed in infected semen samples or wi th sperm antibodies. No correlation was found between the cytokines va lues and the sperm parameters.