Association of semen cytokines with reactive oxygen species and histone transition abnormalities.

Lu Jiang,Xingcheng Gao,Hua Zhou,Ting Zheng,Bolan Yu,Min Liu,Jinhua Mo,Jun Huang

doi:10.1007/s10815-016-0756-7

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationships among reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, histone transition, and seminal cytokine concentrations.MethodsTotal levels of ROS in semen samples from 6560 men were measured. From this sample, 118 cases with high ROS and 106 controls were recruited. Basic semen parameters and histone-to-protamine ratios were analyzed, 400 semen cytokine and receptor alterations were assayed by protein chip, and finally 18 cytokines were validated in each sample using a Bio-Plex Cytokine assay.ResultsThe results showed that the seminal ROS concentration was associated with abnormalities in the sperm histone transition. Compared with controls, 93 cytokines had significant alterations in the high ROS cases, with 14 of them further verified in individual samples. The concentrations of CXCL5, CXCL16, CXCL8, IL-1b, IL-10, CSF3, CCL3, and TNF-α were significantly correlated with the histone transition ratio. In addition, IL-16 showed significantly different concentrations in controls, normal semen with high ROS levels, and abnormal semen with high ROS levels.ConclusionsSemen ROS are associated with abnormalities in sperm histone transition. CXCL5, CXCL8, IL-16, CCL8, CCL22, CCL20, CXCL16, IL-1B, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, CSF3, CCL3, CCL4, and TNF-α all have elevated concentrations in semen with high ROS levels. These data might help to explain the mechanisms behind the increase in the levels of ROS and seminal cytokines and their relationship with defective spermatogenesis.

Highlights

IntroductionThe incidence of infertility is approximately 15 %, with about 50 % due to male infertility [1]
Male infertility has become a prevalent worldwide problem in recent decades
Capsule Semen cytokines are associated with reactive oxygen species and histone transition abnormalities

Summary

Introduction

The incidence of infertility is approximately 15 %, with about 50 % due to male infertility [1]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitute a potentially considerable environmental risk factor for infertility. Smoking, drinking, radiation, toxins, infection, and inflammation have all been correlated with elevated ROS in humans [2]. ROS play a potentially impactful role in male reproductive biology [3]: High levels of ROS in semen might damage cellular membranes and oxidize protective lipids and are negatively correlated with many sperm function parameters [3,4,5]. In the clinic, elevated ROS levels are observed in patients with abnormal sperm motility and morphology, and oxidative stress plays a critical role in male factor infertility in those with high levels of ROS [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results