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Chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis affect the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa

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Abstract

Male genital tract inflammations constitute an important factor of male subfertility in which different mediators are discussed damaging sperm membranes. As acrosome reaction (AR) is ultimately a membrane function, this study aimed at investigating the effects of the chronic pelvic pain syndrome on AR. In a total of 56 patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome NIH IIIA and NIH IIIB, AR, concentration of leucocytes in ejaculate and urine after prostate massage, sperm concentration, motility, vitality and morphology were determined. The control group (n=95) consisted of patients with normozoospermia and proven absence of signs of inflammation. Compared to the control, both patients groups showed poorer sperm morphology (P<0.0001) and sperm concentration (P<0.002). In addition, while maximum AR was not affected, inducibility of AR was significantly lower (P<0.004) and spontaneous AR increased (P<0.02). Our data clearly demonstrate a significant influence of the inflammation on acrosomal functionality, which could be mediated by inflammatory mediators like ROS.

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Acknowledgements

The authors also want to thank Ms. A. Hanschke for skilful technical assistance as well as Mrs. S. Henkel for excellent linguistic review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, 7535, Bellville , South Africa

    Ralf Henkel

  2. Urological Practice, Krummbogen 15, 35037 , Marburg, Germany

    Martin Ludwig

  3. Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Gaffkystrasse 14, 35392 , Giessen, Germany

    Hans-Christian Schuppe & Wolf-Bernhard Schill

  4. Department of Urology,, Justus Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 29, 35392 , Giessen, Germany

    Martin Ludwig, Thorsten Diemer & Wolfgang Weidner

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  1. Ralf Henkel
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  2. Martin Ludwig
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  5. Wolf-Bernhard Schill
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  6. Wolfgang Weidner
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Correspondence to Ralf Henkel.

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Ralf Henkel and Martin Ludwig contributed equally to the work.

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Henkel, R., Ludwig, M., Schuppe, HC. et al. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis affect the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa. World J Urol 24, 39–44 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-005-0038-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-005-0038-y

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