HLA-G levels in human seminal plasma depend on male abstinence time and are not correlated with male serum progesterone

Background Recent studies revealed that levels of the immunoregulatory soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) protein in seminal plasma are fluctuating in a broad range. Beside common regulatory elements, the HLA-G gene contains a progesterone response element with possible functional consequences on protein transcription and translation. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of key factors on the quantitative sHLA-G protein expression in human seminal plasma, on semen parameters and on pregnancy outcome of the female partner

during artificial reproductive technique treatment (ART).

Methods Soluble HLA-G levels from 41 seminal plasma samples were determined using a commercial sHLA-G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and confirmed with western blot. Male hormone values were measured in peripheral blood/serum in the hospital central laboratory.

Results Male abstinence time was significantly correlated with sHLA-G (P 0.035, R 0.330) and total sHLA-G (P 0.027, R 0.346) while no correlation with male serum progesterone was observed. We found a significant correlation of progesterone with testosterone (P 0.037, R 0.327) and sperm volume (P 0.010, R 0.396). Male age was significantly negatively correlated with sperm volume (P 0.042, R -0.319), sperm concentration (P 0.036, R -0.328) and total sperm concentration (P 0.02, R -0.477).

Conclusions Soluble HLA-G levels in seminal plasma appear to depend on male abstinence time, not on male serum progesterone that is significantly related with testosterone and semen volume. The immunomodulatory potential of HLA-G in semen requires further detailed studies with a higher sample number.

 

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Ich erkläre als korrespondierender Autor, dass meine Koautoren mir mitgeteilt haben, dass sie während der letzten 3 Jahre keine wirtschaftlichen oder persönlichen Verbindungen im oben genannten Sinne hatten. Auch ich selbst hatte keine derartigen Verbindungen in den letzten 3 Jahren.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 October 2022