OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship between the contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the seminal plasma of infertile males and sperm function indexes.

METHODSBy radioimmunoassay (RIA), we determined the contents of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-10 in the seminal plasma of 126 infertile and 20 normal males. According to the sperm count, the infertile were divided into three groups: Groups A (sperm count > or = 20 x 10(6)/ml), B (sperm count < 20 x 10(6)/ml) and C (azoospermia). Based on sperm vitality and motility, Group A was subdivided into a normal and abnormal vitality group and a normal and decreased motility group. In line with the serum results of antisperm antibody (AsAb) and semen WBC, the infertile males were divided into AsAb positive and negative, and WBC semen and non-WBC semen groups. According to the assay results of normal males, Groups A and B were each subdivided into normal and decreased groups of sperm penetrating power, intact acrosome rate and terminal swelling rate.

RESULTSThe content of IL-1beta in the seminal plasma of the infertility group was obviously higher, but the content of IL-4, IL-10 significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). In the infertility group, there existed significant differences in the contents of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-10 in seminal plasma between the WBC and non-WBC semen groups, as well as between the AsAb positive and negative groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); and the same was true for the content of IL-4 between the normal and decreased groups of sperm vitality, motility, penetrating power, intact acrosome rate, and terminal swelling rate (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe contents of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-10 in seminal plasma are closely related to male reproduction. The increase or decrease of the contents reflects the state of immunity and infection of the reproductive system, and influences sperm functions.