engleski

Cytokines in the human seminal plasma and their effect on male fertility: a review

Cytokines are a heterogenous group of proteins that plays an important part in intercellular communication, regulation of innate and specific immunity, hematopoiesis, interaction between the immune system and neuroendocrine network as well as in reproduction and development. Seminal fluid provides an immunological environment for the semen that contains important biological response mediators. Numerous studies investigated the presence of various cytokines in the seminal plasma and tried to correlate cytokine levels with sperm quality and male fertility. However, the pathophysiological significance of seminal cytokines in sperm function is still not completely understood. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief summary of the extensive literature dealing with cytokines in the seminal fluid and to discuss the contribution of local cytokine immunity to male fertility.

seminal plasma ; cytokines ; fertility ; sperm quality

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