P-15: Expression of Intercellular Toll-Like Receptors in Male Genital Tract

Background: In the past decade, childlessness has become a most important problem in the world. At the same time evidence confirms a link between sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infertility problem. Some of viral STDs are: HIV, HPV, HSVand so on. The innate immune system is essential for the initial detection of invading viruses and subsequent activation of adaptive immunity. also, There is no doubt that Interactions between the immune system and reproductive system have important consequences for fertility and reproductive health in general.Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) are a major family of innate immune system that are essential for detecting invading pathogens. The TLRs family includes receptors residing both at the cell surface and intercellular, highlighting the specialization of receptor subsets for particular tasks. The intercellular TLRs are including TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9. Foreign nucleic acids from invading viruses and bacteria are senses by intracellular TLRs which can cause signaling within endosomal compartments and triggering the induction of cytokines essential for the innate immune response to viral component. Therefore, TLRs 3,7,8,9 expression in different regions of male reproductive tract and spermatozoa was identified in this investigation. Materials and Methods: Biopsies from Testis, Vasa deferens, Prostate and prepuce were obtained from men who underwent TESE, Vasectomy, and Prostatectomy for benign reason and Prepuce surgery. All men taking part in this study had no history of infection and congenital disorders. RT-PCR was used to show the existence of TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 genes in these sections. TESE (+) and TESE (-) patient were compared with Q-RT PCR for TLR. Immunoblot analysis was used to detect TLR2 in spermatozoa. Results: TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 genes were expressed in different part of the male reproductive tract. Existence of TLR3 and TLR9 in spermatozoa has been shown by using immunoblot. There was no difference between TLR3 expression in TESE+ compared to TESE- by using Q-PCR. Conclusion: Presence of TLRs (3, 7, 8 and 9) in the male reproductive tract provides broad-spectrum detection of viral nucleic acid that may affect on the male genital tract. TLR3 and TLR9 expression on spermatozoa caused to protect both spermatozoa and the epithelial linings of reproductive organs. Q-PCR analysis in patients undergoing TESE may indicate that spermatogenesis has no effect on TLR3 expression in testis.