• PMID: 24825910
• Gene Name: TRAIL
• Condition: Spermatozoa survival
• Association: Therefore, the present study demonstrates for the first time the presence of elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TRAIL in seminal fluids. Moreover, the demonstration that recombinant TRAIL promotes spermatozoa survival after capacitation sug
• Population size: 123
• Population details: 123 male donors presenting for infertility evaluation
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Spermatozoa survival

Soluble TRAIL is present at high concentrations in seminal plasma and promotes spermatozoa survival

Zauli G, Celeghini C, Monasta L, Martinelli M, Luppi S, Gonelli A, Grill V, Ricci G, Secchiero P.

The expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL(TNFSF10)) and of its receptors (TRAILR1, TRAILR2, TRAILR3, and TRAILR4) have been documented in testis, but the presence of soluble TRAIL in seminal fluid, as well as the potential physiopathological role of the TRAIL/TRAILR system in spermatozoa, has not been previously investigated. Male donors (n=123) among couples presenting for infertility evaluation were consecutively enrolled in this study. The presence of soluble TRAIL was analyzed in seminal samples by ELISA, while the surface expression of TRAIL receptors was investigated by flow cytometry. High levels of soluble TRAIL were detected in seminal plasma (median, 11 621 pg/ml and mean±s.d., 13 371±8367 pg/ml) and flow cytometric analysis revealed a variable expression of TRAIL receptors in the sperm cellular fraction among different subjects. In addition, the effect of physiologically relevant concentrations of recombinant TRAIL was investigated on survival and motility of spermatozoa. Of interest, the in vitro exposure of capacitated spermatozoa to recombinant TRAIL (10 ng/ml) significantly preserved their overall survival. Therefore, the present study demonstrates for the first time the presence of elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TRAIL in seminal fluids. Moreover, the demonstration that recombinant TRAIL promotes spermatozoa survival after capacitation suggests potential therapeutic implications. CI - © 2014 Society for Reproduction and Fertility. FAU - Zauli, Giorgio AU - Zauli G AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy giorgio.zauli@unife.it. FAU - Celeghini, Claudio AU - Celeghini C AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Monasta, Lorenzo AU - Monasta L AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Martinelli, Monica AU - Martinelli M AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Luppi, Stefania AU - Luppi S AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Gonelli, Arianna AU - Gonelli A AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Grill, Vittorio AU - Grill V AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. FAU - Ricci, Giuseppe AU - Ricci G AD - Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of Life ScienceUniversity of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, ItalyDepartment of MorphologySurgery and Experimental Medicine, LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.