Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine

The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine (대한생식의학회)
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The effect of lipopolysaccharide from uropathogenic Escherichia coli on the immune system, testis tissue, and spermatozoa of BALB/c mice

  • Khanmohammad, Khadije Rezai (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Khalili, Mohammad Bagher (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Sadeh, Maryam (Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Talebi, Ali Reza (Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Astani, Akram (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Shams, Ali (Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Zare, Fateme (Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences)
  • Received : 2020.06.15
  • Accepted : 2020.11.19
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Objective: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is known to cause urinary tract infections, and the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) of this bacterium may cause deficiencies of sperm quality and morphology. In the present study, the effects of LPS on mouse sperm were studied, and the levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and possible changes in testis tissue were evaluated. Methods: LPS of uropathogenic E. coli was extracted using the methanol-chloroform method, followed confirmation using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Purified LPS (100 ㎍/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice for 7 days consecutively in the test and control groups, mice were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 42 after the first injection. Blood was tested for levels of IL-17A using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Testis tissue and sperm were collected from each mouse and were studied according to standard protocols. Results: The mean sperm count and motility significantly decreased (p=0.03) at 3, 7, and 42 days after the injections. The level of IL-17A in the test groups increased, but not significantly (p=0.8, p=0.11, and p=0.15, respectively). Microscopic studies showed no obvious changes in the morphology of the testis tissue; however, significant changes were observed in the cellular parenchyma on day 42. Conclusion: LPS can stimulate the immune system to produce proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in an immune response in the testis and ultimately leading to deficiency in sperm parameters and testis tissue damage. In addition, the presence of LPS could significantly impair sperm parameters, as shown by the finding of decreased motility.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We appreciate the staff of the Laboratory of Microbiology, School of Paramedical and Medical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

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