Relationship between the contents of IL-8, TNF-α in seminal plasma and sperm dynamic indexes in infertile patients

ObjectiveTo observe the relationship between the contents of interleuk in-8(IL-8),tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF)in seminal plasma and sperm dynamic indexes in infertile males.MethodsBy radio mimuno assay(RIA), we determined the contents of IL-8 and TNF-α in the seminal plasma of 75 infertile(sperm count≥20×10⁶/ml)and 22 normalmales.Accoding to sperm vitality and motility,the infertiles were subdividedintoa normal and abnormal vitality groups and normal and decre sed motility groups.ResultsThe content of IL-8,TNF-α in the seminal plasma of the infertile group was obviously higher.But many dynamic indexes,including sperm vitality,sperm motility and sperm speed, were significantly lower than that of the normal group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In the infertility group,there existed significant differences in the contents of TNF-α be tween the normal and decreased sperm vitality,motility groups (P<0.05).There existed significant differences in the contents of IL-8 between the normal and decreased sperm motility groups.The contents of TNF-α were negatively correlated with sperm vitality,motility and speed(P<0.05).The content of IL-8 had a significant negative corelation with sperm motility(r=-0.39,P<0.05),but had no obvious relation to other dynamic indexes.ConclusionThe contents of IL-8,TNF-α inseminal plasma are closely related to sperm dynamic indexes.Determination of IL-8,TNF-α contents can reflects sperm functions,and afford valuable evidence in exploring the mechanism of infertility and in clinical medication.