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Behavioral Ecology Advance Access published online on November 3, 2004
Behavioral Ecology, doi:10.1093/beheco/ari004
© 2004 by International Society for Behavioral Ecology
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Received February 16, 2004
Revised September 19, 2004
Accepted September 28, 2004

Article

Does immunity regulate ejaculate quality and fertility in humans?

Philip A. Skau 1* and Ivar Folstad 1

1 Department of Evolution and Ecology, IB, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Philip A. Skau, E-mail: philip.skau{at}ib.uit.no


  Abstract

The production of high-quality ejaculates may represent significant costs during male reproduction. Spermatozoa are perceived as nonself by the immune system and are exposed to immunological attacks in the male reproductive tract. Autoimmunity to spermatozoa results in the production of antisperm antibodies that reduce sperm quality and hence fertility. Thus, males are dependent on the testis being an immunoprivileged site to reduce immunological reactions against their own sperm, and immunoprivilege is obtained by the blood-testis barrier and by hormonal immunosuppression. A meta-analysis on the effects of immunosuppressive corticosteroid treatment of male infertility revealed that treatment reduced the level of antisperm antibodies, improved sperm motility and sperm count, and increased conception rate. These results emphasize the importance of immunosuppression and the associated pathogenicity from infectious organisms as important costs for the production of high-quality ejaculates.

Keywords: antisperm antibodies; corticosteroid treatment; ejaculate quality; immunosuppression; male infertility; meta-analysis; parasite resistance; sperm.
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