CD4 cells and primary immune cells as a veritable factor on reproductive hormones and fertility

Abstract

Abstract Immune system contributes to infertility, where Regulatory T cells play major role. Paucity of research in this crucial area, deems pertinent refocusing attentions on it. So, immune cells as veritable factors on fertility & reproductive hormones [Follicles stimulating hormone (FSH); Luteinizing hormone (LH); Prolactin (PRL); Estradiol (EZ); Progesterone (PROG); Testosterone (TESTO)] were investigated at a Teaching Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria between February – October 2022 on a pilot scale. Patients on doctor’s provisional diagnosis of infertility were examined for their hormones’ levels, CD4 & primary immune cells (PIC) counts. So far, seven patients were investigated. Results were analyzed using Paired Students t-test at 5% (0.05) alpha level; & p value of test statistics used for confirmation. All the patients have low CD4 counts (Range: 157–490). Our hypotheses were largely rejected: (i.e. Yes) that CD4 cells & PIC have impact on the hormones; p values confirmed negative correlative association between CD4 & the six hormones; all the PIC have impact on PRL; except on EZ, neutrophil (N) has very significant impact on all the hormones; except on FSH, lymphocytes (L) has very significant impact on all the hormones; only on PRL that all the PIC have impact; except on PRL & TESTO, WBC (T) has no significant impact on the hormones; only N & L have significant impact on the PROG; only WBC (T), N & L have impact on TESTO; except L none of the PIC has significant impact on the EZ. Monocyte, Eosinophil & Basophils has impact only on FSH, LH & PLT. So, under no hormonal abnormality, (except PRL in one patient), the work strongly suggests that the inability to conceive resides on the low CD4 cells, plus impacts of it & PIC on hormones; hence, they are veritable factors. None