T-HELPER 2-TYPE CYTOKINE AND SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR LEVELS INSEMINAL PLASMA OF INFERTILE MEN

PROBLEM: The role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in unexplained male infertility and impaired sperm function has been explored. METHOD OF S TUDY: The presence of cytokines, namely, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interle ukin-6 (IL-6), and the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R), was in vestigated in seminal plasma of 18 fertile and 20 infertile subjects, using specific enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays. RESULTS: IL-4 was not detected. SIL-2R was detected, but the concentration difference b etween the fertile and infertile group was not significant. IL-6 was d etected with significantly higher levels in the infertile group compar ed to the fertile group. IL-6 levels in seminal plasma correlated posi tively with leukocyte count and negatively with sperm count, motility, and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show: a) a lack of IL-4 i n seminal plasma; b) similar SIL-2R levels in fertile and infertile se minal plasma; c) increased IL-6 secretion in seminal plasma of inferti le subjects; and d) specific correlations of IL-6 with the main semen parameters.