Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: We conducted a prospective study consisting of 15 fertile donors (controls) and 35 infertile patients with varicocele. Semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. IL-6 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ROS (x10(4) counted photons per minute per 20 x 10(6) sperm) and total antioxidant capacity (molar trolox equivalents) were measured using a chemiluminescence assay. RESULTS: The sperm concentration and motility were significantly greater in the donors compared with the infertile patients with varicocele (P <0.0001 and P = 0.01, respectively). The IL-6 (log10 [IL-6 +1]) and ROS (log10 [ROS +1]) levels were significantly greater in infertile patients with varicocele than in the donors (IL-6: 2.1 [1.7, 2.4] versus 0.7 [0, 1.9], P = 0.003; ROS: 1.8 [1.2, 2.6] versus 1.0 [0.7, 1.6], P = 0.04). The total antioxidant capacity levels were significantly lower in the varicocele patients (1166.7 +/- 366.2) than in the donors (1556.4 +/- 468.1; P = 0.003). The IL-6 levels correlated significantly with the ROS levels in the infertile patients with varicocele (r = -0.39; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infertile patients with varicocele exhibited elevated levels of IL-6 and ROS and decreased levels of total antioxidant capacity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of infertility in these patients.
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Authors | Kiran P Nallella, Shyam S R Allamaneni, Fabio F Pasqualotto, Rakesh K Sharma, Anthony J Thomas Jr, Ashok Agarwal |
Journal | Urology
(Urology)
Vol. 64
Issue 5
Pg. 1010-3
(Nov 2004)
ISSN: 1527-9995 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 15533496
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antioxidants
- Interleukin-6
- Reactive Oxygen Species
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antioxidants
(analysis)
- Humans
- Infertility, Male
(complications, metabolism, physiopathology)
- Interleukin-6
(analysis, metabolism)
- Male
- Oxidative Stress
- Reactive Oxygen Species
(analysis)
- Semen
(chemistry, metabolism)
- Sperm Motility
- Varicocele
(complications, metabolism)
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