Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 2223-2231

Journal: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Volume number: 37

Issue number: 9

ISSN: 1058-0468

eISSN: 1573-7330

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01883-7

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Purpose To study the effector mechanism against pathogens of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages, called ETosis, involving the release of extracellular traps (ETs) in patients with acute epididymitis. To assess the different ET phenotypes present in semen samples and to identify correlations between ETosis and clinical parameters. Materials and methods Samples from patients diagnosed with acute epididymitis were examined and compared with samples from uninfected controls. Biochemical analyses of seminal fluid included determination of peroxidase, alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and elastase levels. ETosis in semen was determined through presence of citrullinated histones, global histones, and extracellular DNA. Different ETosis phenotypes such as spread ETs, aggregated ETs, and diffuse ETs were identified by co-localisation of extruded DNA with myeloperoxidase and global histones. Anti-CD15(+)and anti-CD68(+)antibodies were used to identify different cell lines. Results Revealed a high number of ETs compared with the control group. The mean number of CD15(+)PMN and CD68(+)macrophages was higher in the acute epididymitis group. ETosis increase in ejaculates correlated with clinical parameters such as enhancement of elastase concentrations and diminution of fructose in the semen. Conclusions This work shows for the first time the presence of ETs and their components in semen from patients with acute epididymitis. The presence of infections is an important factor for induction of ETs in semen. Furthermore, the presence of ETosis in ejaculates is suggestive of developing infectious processes and might possibly have a diagnostic value.

Harvard Citation style: Zambrano, F., Schulz, M., Pilatz, A., Wagenlehner, F., Schuppe, H., Conejeros, I., et al. (2020) Increase of leucocyte-derived extracellular traps (ETs) in semen samples from human acute epididymitis patients-a pilot study, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 37(9), pp. 2223-2231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01883-7

APA Citation style: Zambrano, F., Schulz, M., Pilatz, A., Wagenlehner, F., Schuppe, H., Conejeros, I., Uribe, P., Taubert, A., Sanchez, R., & Hermosilla, C. (2020). Increase of leucocyte-derived extracellular traps (ETs) in semen samples from human acute epididymitis patients-a pilot study. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 37(9), 2223-2231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-020-01883-7