Quantitative assessment of cytokines (GRO alpha and IL-10) in human seminal plasma during genitourinary inflammation.

Problem: Mechanisms involved in infertility due to genitourinary (GU) inflammation are unknown. The production of pro-inflammatory (GRO alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in seminal plasma is monitored in this study.
Method: GRO alpha, IL-10, and granulocyte elastase were evaluated in semen from I) normal, II) infertile patients, and III) infertile patients with leukocytospermia.
Results: GRO alpha in infertile patients with GU inflammation was 1.5-fold higher compared to group II and 2.5-fold higher compared to group I patients. The IL-10 was higher in group III than the other two groups. A positive correlation was observed between granulocyte elastase and GRO alpha in all groups. Group III patients exhibited poor sperm parameters.
Conclusions: A shift towards increased production of pro-inflammatory chemokine GRO alpha may have a potential role in male infertility associated with GU inflammation.