Abstract

Purpose: To study the effectors mechanism against pathogens of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages, called ETosis, involves the release of extracellular traps (ETs) in patients with acute epididymitis. Assess the different ETs phenotypes present in semen samples and to identify correlations between ETosis and clinical parameters. Materials and methods: Samples from patients diagnosed with acute epididymitis were examined and compared with samples from uninfected controls. Biochemical analyses of seminal fluid included determination of peroxidase, -glucosidase, fructose and elastase levels. ETosis in semen was determined through presence of citrullinated histones, global histones and extracellular DNA. Different ETosis phenotypes such as spread ETs, aggregated ETs and diffuse ETs were identified by co-localization of extruded DNA with myeloperoxidase and global histones. Anti-CD15+ and anti-CD68+ antibodies were used to identify different cell lines. Results: Revealed a high number of ETs compared to control group. The mean number of CD15+PMN and CD68+ macrophages was higher in the acute epididymitis group. ETosis increase in ejaculates correlated with clinical parameters such as enhancement of elastase concentrations and diminution of fructose in the semen. Conclusions: This work shows for the first time the presence of ETs and their components in semen from patients with acute epididymitis. The presence of infections is an important factor for induction of ETs in semen. Furthermore, the presence of ETosis in ejaculates is suggestive of developing infectious processes and might possibly have diagnostic value.