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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 elena.moretti@unisi.itPurpose: 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 |
