The Relationship of CXCL12 with Sperm Agglutination and Anti-Sperm Antibody Among Infertile Men

Fahad Dhamin Oleiwi, Mousa J. Mohammed, Chatin I. Ali

Abstract


Background: It is known that structural elements like the ‘blood-testis barrier’ (BTB) and local & systemic tolerance mechanisms help to maintain testicular homeostasis, which shields germ cells and mature sperms from immune attack. Any damage to this barrier could result in immune attack and may cause infertility.

Methods: The most important goal of this study was to find the vital connection between male infertility and immunological factors (CXCL12 and anti-sperm antibody). During the months of October 2021 and July 2022, a total of 144 samples were taken from patients who sought to have infertility tested. Semen and blood samples were taken from the subjects to assess seminal plasma CXCL12 levels and the prevalence of anti-sperm antibody (ASA) in their serum. Alternatively, research on sperm function parameters, sperm agglutination risk, and its relationship to ASA and CXCL12.

Result: statistically there was no ‘significant’ difference in CXCL12 levels across study groups in this investigation. The prevalence of sperm agglutination was 23.61% across all patients under study, the majority of whom had asthenozoospermia. In contrast, 60% of the samples from ASA-positive patients were agglutinated. The results revealed a relatively weak positive link that may call for additional research even if there was no significant statistical correlation in the relationship between CXCL12 and sperm functions and ASA.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that ASA affects seminal fluid parameters, which in turn affects male fertility, and that a weak, non-significant association between CXCL12 and sperm function could impair sperm function by reducing sperm motility. Sperm agglutination could be a sign of immunological infertility.  ASA can impact male fertility in a number of ways. Others had to do with sperm agglutination. 

Keywords: CXCL12; Anti-sperm antibody; ASA; Sperm agglutination; Sperm function 


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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.62940/als.v11i4.2552

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