Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that have cellular autoimmune response to prostate antigens.

MOTRICH RD; MACCIONI M; MOLINA R; TISSERA A; OLMEDO J; RIERA CM; RIVERO VE

HUMAN REPRODUCTION

Oxford University Press

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2005 vol. 20 p. 2567 - 2567

0268-1161

p class="abstract">BACKGROUND: The relationship between chronic prostatitis and fertility has been controversial for many years. We have previously shown the presence of a cellular autoimmune response against prostate antigens in a group of chronic prostatitis patients. Our main goal was to investigate whether chronic prostatitis (either caused by an infection or an autoimmune response to the prostate gland) could have a deleterious effect on semen quality. METHODS: Forty-four patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included and divided into groups according to the presence of infection and/or cellular autoimmune response against prostate antigens. Healthy normal individuals were included as controls. Measurements for sperm concentration, motility, morphology, prostate and seminal vesicle markers, antisperm antibodies, white blood cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines were performed accordingly. RESULTS: The most severe abnormalities were seen in patients with no