MP70-09 INDICATORS OF INFLAMMASOME ACTIVATION IN MEN WITH ABNORMAL SEMEN PARAMETERS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Basic Research & Pathophysiology1 Apr 2016MP70-09 INDICATORS OF INFLAMMASOME ACTIVATION IN MEN WITH ABNORMAL SEMEN PARAMETERS Emad Ibrahim, Karen Ibrahim, Michael Jurewicz, Teodoro Aballa, George Attia, Charles Lynne, and Nancy Brackett Emad IbrahimEmad Ibrahim More articles by this author , Karen IbrahimKaren Ibrahim More articles by this author , Michael JurewiczMichael Jurewicz More articles by this author , Teodoro AballaTeodoro Aballa More articles by this author , George AttiaGeorge Attia More articles by this author , Charles LynneCharles Lynne More articles by this author , and Nancy BrackettNancy Brackett More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.02.1434AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Assembly of the inflammasome complex results in caspase-1 activation which promotes the maturation and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Evidence of inflammasome activation and the consequent elevation of semen cytokines has been reported as a possible cause of abnormal semen quality in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) [Fertil Steril 2013;99:118-24, Hum Reprod 2014;29:2368-73]. This study sought to determine if indicators of inflammasome activation were evident in non-SCI men with abnormal semen parameters. METHODS Semen was obtained from men with abnormal semen parameters who were being evaluated in an infertility clinic (n=131). Each of these men was assigned to a group depending on his semen parameters. Oligo: men with low sperm concentration but normal sperm motility (n=29); Astheno: men with low sperm motility (<40%) but normal sperm concentration (≥20 million/cc) (n=14); Oligo+Astheno: men with combined low sperm concentration and low sperm motility (n=70); Terato: men with normal sperm count, normal sperm motility, but low sperm morphology (<4%) (n=8); Azo: men with no sperm in their ejaculate (n=10). Over 80% of the men in the Oligo, Astheno and Oligo+Astheno groups also had low sperm morphology. Semen from healthy normospermic men (n=10) served as control material. Seminal plasma was separated from semen by centrifugation and analyzed for caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β concentrations using ELISA (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Comparisons between controls and patient groups were made by student's t-test. Statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Caspase-1 concentrations were significantly elevated in all groups compared to controls. IL-1β concentrations were elevated in all groups compared to controls but reached statistical significance only in the Oligo+Astheno, and the Terato groups. IL-18 concentrations were also elevated in all groups compared to controls but reached statistical significance only in the Oligo+Astheno group. (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS This study shows elevation of inflammasome activation indicators (caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18) in semen of patients presenting for an infertility workup. Further investigation of the inflammasome in various etiologies of male infertility may result in therapeutic interventions. © 2016FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 195Issue 4SApril 2016Page: e909 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2016MetricsAuthor Information Emad Ibrahim More articles by this author Karen Ibrahim More articles by this author Michael Jurewicz More articles by this author Teodoro Aballa More articles by this author George Attia More articles by this author Charles Lynne More articles by this author Nancy Brackett More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...