Introduction: Previously, we have found alterations in the semen quality of patients bearing chronic prostatitis with an autoimmune response against prostate antigens. In this study we analyzed the presence of sperm alterations and the involved mediators in an experimental model of autoimmune prostatitis.
Materials and methods: Autoimmune prostatitis was induced in 2 groups of Wistar male rats, by the injection either of a prostatic extract of proteins (EP) or prostatein (PSBP). A control group was included (C). The autoimmune response and several sperm parameters, in semen and epidydymal sperm, were studied at different time-points.
Results: Animals from groups EP and PSBP developed a positive cellular and humoral autoimmune response against prostate antigens. They also showed striking alterations in semen (reduced sperm density, motility, viability) when compared to group C. No alterations in epidydymal sperm were observed. We also found significantly increased levels of apoptosis in seminal sperm from both groups of animals (EP and PSBP) but not in epidydymal sperm. Citric acid , the prostate biomarker, was found diminished in these animals. Besides, we detected increased levels of nitric oxide and TNF-á in seminal plasma from these autoimmune animals, evidencing local inflammation.
Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that an autoimmune response against prostate can significantly alter the sperm quality on an individual, thus compromising fertility.
