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Human β-defensin 1 in follicular fluid and semen: impact on fertility

  • Reproductive Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed at mucosal level of male and female genito-urinary tract, where they exert protective functions against infections, possibly preserving human health and fertility. In our study, we investigated the possible involvement of β-defensins in female and male infertility in Italian infertile couples (i) evaluating the presence of human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) in follicular fluid (FF) and its correlation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes; (ii) investigating the relationship between hBD-1 levels in semen and IVF outcomes (comprising correlation with sperm parameters); and (iii) exploring the effect of hBD-1 peptide on spermatozoa motility in vitro.

Methods

A perspective observational analytic pilot study was conducted. hBD-1 concentration was measured with ELISA assay in FF and semen from 50 couples that underwent assisted procreation technique procedures due to infertility status. Moreover, hBD-1 exogenous peptide was administered to 29 normozoospermic semen and their motility was recorded.

Results

hBD-1 was detected in FF and its levels were significantly higher in women with good fertilization rate (≥ 75%), respect to those with a poor fertilization rate (< 75%). The hBD-1 semen concentrations in oligo-asthenozoospermic subjects were significantly lower than that in normozoospermic men. Instead, hBD-1 level in sperm and FF not correlated with pregnancy rate. Finally, incubation of sperm with exogenous hBD-1 significantly increased progressive motility after 1 h and 24 h.

Conclusions

Being aware of the relatively small sample size and medium power, our results possibly suggest that hBD-1 could influence oocyte and sperm quality, and could improve, when exogenously added, sperm motility.

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Funding

This work was supported by University of Trieste – “University funding for scientific research project “(U22SCFRA15) and by IRCCS Burlo Garofolo/Italian Ministry of Health (RC 15/2017 and RC 18/2016).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Luisa Zupin, Sergio Crovella & Giuseppe Ricci

  2. Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy

    Vania Polesello, Monica Martinelli, Stefania Luppi, Elena Giolo, Gabriella Zito, Federico Romano, Ludovica Segat, Sergio Crovella & Giuseppe Ricci

Authors
  1. Luisa Zupin
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  2. Vania Polesello
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  3. Monica Martinelli
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  4. Stefania Luppi
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  5. Elena Giolo
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  6. Gabriella Zito
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  7. Federico Romano
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  8. Ludovica Segat
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  9. Sergio Crovella
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  10. Giuseppe Ricci
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Contributions

LZ performed the statistical analyses and wrote the manuscript. VP performed hBD-1 ELISA experiments. MM, SL, and EG collected the samples, participated in patients enrollment, and revised the manuscript. GZ and FR enrolled the participants, were responsible of patients clinical management, and collected the samples. LS supervised the experiments, revised the manuscript, and contributed in the study design. SC conceived the study and critically revised the manuscript. GR conceived the study, was responsible for the management of patients, and critically revised the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luisa Zupin.

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Zupin, L., Polesello, V., Martinelli, M. et al. Human β-defensin 1 in follicular fluid and semen: impact on fertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 36, 787–797 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01409-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01409-w

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