Journal of Inflammation Research (Mar 2022)
Seminal Levels of Omentin-1/ITLN1 in Inflammatory Conditions Related to Male Infertility and Localization in Spermatozoa and Tissues of Male Reproductive System
Abstract
Elena Moretti,1 Cinzia Signorini,1 Daria Noto,1 Sergio Antonio Tripodi,2 Andrea Menchiari,3 Ester Sorrentino,2 Giulia Collodel1 1Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; 2Department of Pathology Unit, AOUS Siena, Siena, Italy; 3Department of Business and Law, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyCorrespondence: Elena Moretti, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy, Tel +39 0577 232451, Email [email protected]: Omentin-1/intelectin (ITLN)1 is an adipocytokine with both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties, and little is known about its role in male reproduction. This study was aimed at exploring the relationships among omentin-1/ITLN1, semen parameters and F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), a maker of oxidative stress, in groups of patients affected by different pathologies. In addition, omentin-1/ITLN1 immunolocalization was assessed in ejaculated spermatozoa and in tissues of male reproductive system.Patients and Methods: Semen samples of infertile patients with varicocele (n = 27), genitourinary infections (n = 17), idiopathic infertility (n = 15) and fertile men (n = 21) were analyzed following WHO guidelines, and seminal plasma were used to determine omentin-1/ITLN1 by ELISA and F2-IsoP levels by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Omentin-1/ITLN1 was localized in human sperm and in the tissue of male reproductive system.Results: Considering all participants, F2-IsoP and omentin-1/ITLN1 levels were positively correlated (p = 0.000), and both these indices were negatively correlated with sperm parameters. Infertile patients showed lower sperm parameters than fertile ones; varicocele and infection groups had significantly increased levels of F2-IsoPs (both p = 0.000) and omentin-1/ITLN1 (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively). Omentin-1/ITLN1 signal was located as a spot in the connecting piece (in 43.5% of cases midpiece was also labeled) of sperm from fertile men and in cytoplasmic residue and in the entire tail in sperm of patients with varicocele and genitourinary infections. A focal omentin-1/ITLN1 immunolabelling was evident in the basal area of epididymal tubule, and a diffuse signal was present in the seminal vesicle epithelium.Conclusion: Semen omentin-1/ITLN1 originates from seminal vesicles, its levels increase in inflammatory conditions and are negatively correlated with sperm parameters. For this reason, a sort of protective role of omentin-1/ITLN1 can be postulated, as this adipokine shows anti-inflammatory properties also in many other biological systems.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: adipocytokines, F2-isoprostanes, human sperm, immunocytochemistry, epididymis, seminal vesicles
