Investigation of seminal plasma chitotriosidase-1 and leukocyte elastase as potential markers for 'silent' inflammation of the reproductive tract of the infertile male - a pilot study.

Inflammatory mediators - chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) and leukocyte elastase (LE) - were analyzed in human seminal plasma in relation to total antioxidative status (TAS) and pro-inflammatory markers IL-1ß and IL-6. Samples collected from 34 males who were part of infertile couples were divided into normozoospermic (N; n = 12, without symptoms of inflammation), oligozoospermic (O; n = 11) and teratozoospermic (T; n = 11) groups. significant differences were observed only in CHIT1 concentration between N and O samples. However, a higher mean LE concentration was also observed in O and T patients (3.7-times and 900-times, respectively) compared with the N group. in IL-1ß and IL-6 concentrations, an upward trend was observed from N, through O, up to the T group. The positive correlation between the concentration of IL-1ß and the activity and specific activity of CHIT11 as well as the moderate negative correlation between concentrations of IL-1ß and CHIT1 may suggest that elevated CHIT11 levels appeared in early stages of inflammation before the increase in IL-1ß concentrations, or remained stable even after the levels of cytokine decreased. The above seem to confirm the role of CHIT1 in the manifestation of 'silent' inflammation at a very early stage. To conclude, CHIT1 concentration appears to be an interesting biomarker that signals the presence of possible 'silent' inflammation accompanying oligozoospermia. We cannot draw such conclusions regarding LE concentration, because, although we observed differences in the mean values and medians between analyzed groups, they were not significant. The utility of CHIT1 in the follow-up of oligozoospermia-associated 'silent' subclinical inflammation is promising, but further studies on a larger patient test set are required.

The impact of metalloestrogens on the physiology of male reproductive health as a current problem of the XXI century.

In the XXIst century in highly developed countries, progressively decreasing male reproductive potential is indicated. In recent years epidemiological studies indicate the deterioration of semen parameters: reduction of ejaculate volume, sperm count, and mobility, as well as abnormalities in their morphology. Male infertility can result from many different agents, such as: anatomical or genetic abnormalities, systemic or neurological diseases, infections, trauma, iatrogenic injury, gonadotoxins and development of sperm antibodies and lifestyle (especially obesity, heat and tobacco smoking). It is well documented that adverse changes in male fertility also seem to be associated with environmental exposure to different substances, especially endocrine active factors, known as xenoestrogens, and among these metal ions, known as metalloestrogens, are very important. The role of some metalloestrogens in various diseases, both in women and men, is known and particularly well-proven in women, but still little is known about their role in the regulation of male reproductive potential. Thus we decided to analyse the available information exploring this problem. The review was carried out using the Medline and Google Scholar databases, using the keywords: xenoestrogens, metalloestrogens, male fertility, semen quality, male reproductive potential, mechanisms of metalloestrogen action, environmental pollution and the name of the particular metal. Articles published between 2000 - 2019 have been taken into account, including human and vertebrate animal studies and cell lines. The aim of this review is to discuss the role and mechanisms of action of fifteen metalloestrogens in the human organism, as well as in animal models, and cell cultures, paying special attention to their influence on the physiology of male reproductive health, according to the current state of knowledge. The role of certain metals in human reproduction is still poorly investigated and for some of them only single studies are available. Many factors in our daily lives have a significant impact on male fertility, therefore education is necessary on the threats and how they may be eliminated as far as possible.

Melatonin, advanced oxidation protein products and total antioxidant capacity as seminal parameters of prooxidant-antioxidant balance and their connection with expression of metalloproteinases in context of male fertility.

Currently, in highly developed, industrialized countries male factors are identified as the primary cause of infertility in about 60% of childless couples. Standard semen analysis parameters, such as sperm morphology, number and motility, are important in predicting the fertility of large populations, but they are not sufficient to fully specify a particular donor sperm's ability to fertilize the egg. The semen also comprises components, which may also affect sperm fertilizing ability and which have thus far remained little explored: the biochemical parameters of the seminal plasma secreted by the testis, the seminiferous tubules and the prostate gland, such as: matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their specific tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). We highlight the need for a better determination of prooxidant-antioxidant balance parameters such as: melatonin, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in human semen when establishing the diagnostics of male subfertility or infertility. We also discuss their connection with seminal plasma metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. In particular, we believe that the cumulative and synergic effects of the sperm redox parameters on male fertility need to be better explored and we suggest that they should be studied in conjunction with other biologically active parameters of the ejaculate such as the expression of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors. This will enable a better understanding of how their correlated effects impact semen condition.

Association of IgA secretory component sialylation with leucocytospermia of infertile men - a pilot study.

The aim of our pilot study was to check whether the differences in IgA secretory component (SC) sialylation are associated with leucocytospermia. In normozoospermic and leucocytospermic seminal plasmas, 78-kDa and 63-kDa SC immunoreactive bands were observed. The SC sialylation was analysed by lectin blotting, using sialo-specific lectins MAA (Maackia amurensis agglutinin) and SNA (Sambucus nigra agglutinin). Specific reactivity of 63-kDa SC with MAA and SNA was higher than 78-kDa SC in both analysed seminal groups. The analysis of seminal SC sialylation might be a valuable diagnosis tools for the evaluation of fertility problems related with leucocytospermia.