Abstract
BACKGROUND: The IL-6 levels in seminal plasma have an important impact on sperm quality. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between IL-6 levels in seminal plasma and sperm parameters for Moroccan population. METHODS: This is a case control study. Semen samples were obtained from patients who consulted the Medical Analysis Laboratory and Reproductive Biology Labomac, Casablanca, Morocco from Apr 2022 to Jun 2023, among them 50 presenting azoospermia, 25 severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia and 25 normozoospermia. RESULTS: Significant differences regarding age of azoospermic patients (P=0.008) and BMI for OATS and azoospermic (P=0.032, P=0.047 respectively), also for physical activity azoospermic P<0.01 and P=0.02 for OATS patients same difference for micronutrient intake especially for zinc. Sperm parameters present also statistically significant in terms of motility, concentration, and morphology (P < 0.05). Semen interleukin-6 levels showed a significant difference for azoospermic patients (P=0.045) also for OATS (P=0.001). On the other hand, leucoscreen analysis revealed a significantly higher mean leukocytes concentration in azoospermic and OATS patients (P=0.004 and P<0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: The seminal plasma IL-6 assay could be used as a sensitive biomarker of silent infection or inflammation of the male genital tract.