INCREASED LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-8 IN HUMAN SEMINAL PLASMA

The role of cell-mediated immunity in the aetiopathogenesis of male in fertility is far from being defined. The cytochemokine interleukin-8 ( IL-8) has a key role in T-cell mediated immune responses. The aim of t his study was to confirm the presence of IL-8 in human seminal plasma, to show differences between IL-8 concentrations in fertile and infert ile subjects, and to show the potential relationship between IL-8 amou nts in semen and spermiogram parameters. IL-8 levels were determined i n the seminal plasma of 77 men divided as follows: (a) into seven grou ps according to the aetiological diagnosis of fertility and (b) into t wo groups on the basis of a normal or abnormal spermiogram. The mean v alue of IL-8 in the seminal plasma was 31.5 times higher than the uppe r limit: in normal serum. There is a borderline statistical significan t difference among the means of the various groups (P<0.051). The Tuke y's HSD test for multiple comparisons indicated no two groups as being significantly different, whereas the less conservative test LSD showe d significant differences between the group with infection and groups with normal controls, Klinefelter's syndrome, mumps orchitis, cryptorc hidism, or varicocele. There was no significant difference in IL-8 lev els between men with normal and those with abnormal spermiograms. Furt hermore, there was no correlation between IL-8 levels and the variable s of the spermiogram. Even though the conclusions of this study have t o be tempered by the sample size, IL-8 concentration in seminal plasma may be considered as a potential marker for the diagnosis of male acc essory gland infection.