Spermatozoa-induced seminal vesiculitis in mice

Seminal vesiculitis is a common inflammation in the male genital tract. Etiologically, microbial infection and non-infectious factors can be responsible for seminal vesiculitis. The pathogenic triggers and mechanisms underlying non-infectious seminal vesiculitis remain unclear.

To demonstrate that spermatozoa can induce seminal vesiculitis in mice, which could be attributable to spermatozoa-induced innate immune responses in seminal vesicular epithelial cells.

Spermatozoa from epididymis were injected into seminal vesicles at the tail of the gland. Histopathology of seminal vesicles were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Infiltration of leukocytes were identified by immunohistochemistry. Seminal vesicular epithelial cells were isolated from 5-week-old mice and cell types were detected by immunofluoresence. Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect protein and gene expression levels.

In vivo, local injection of epididymal spermatozoa into seminal vesicles resulted in seminal vesiculitis characterized by tissue swelling and leukocyte infiltration. In vitro, spermatozoa induced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL10, and MCP1, and the activation of NF-κB in seminal vesicular epithelial cells.

Spermatozoa may induce seminal vesiculitis through the activation of innate immune responses in seminal vesicular epithelial cells, which provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying non-infectious seminal vesiculitis.