Cytokine profile of seminal plasma and effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology programs

Increasing evidence shows that seminal plasma is among the most important immunoregulatory factors in female reproductive function. We suggest that the favorable effect of the partner’s seminal plasma (SP) upon pregnancy occurence in women during the cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be provided by the balanced content of Th1/Th2-dependent seminal cytokines. Otherwise, in case of pathologic changes in SP composition, it may negatively affect the IVF efficiency. Our aim was to determine whether the levels of seminal IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-18, IFNγ, TNFα, TNFβ and TGF-β1 are associated with pregnancy establishment in female patients exposed to seminal plasma during IVF/ICSI cycle.
Twenty-eight female patients were exposed to seminal plasma via sexual intercourse before the day of oocyte retrieval, and also underwent intravaginal application of seminal plasma just after transvaginal puncture and oocyte retrieval. Quantitative measurement of seminal cytokines was performed by FlowCytomix™ technology. IL-1, IL-18 and TNFβ concentrations were significantly higher in non-pregnant group (p = 0.011; p = 0.030 and p = 0.008, respectively). The contents of IL-2, IL-6, IL-18 and TNFβ per ejaculate were also significantly higher in non-pregnant group (p = 0.020; р = 0.042; р = 0.030 and р = 0.004, respectively). We conclude that elevated concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in seminal plasma, as well as their total excessive content per ejaculate may have an adverse effect on implantation and pregnancy establishment.