Interleukin-1 system in testis — quantitative analysis

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that interleukin-1 and other cytokines may influence mammalian testis function. IL-la activity seems to be tissue specific, and it appears in literature as a testicular interleukin-1 (tIL-1)¹. Its activity was detected both in testicular interstitium and seminiferous epithelium. Being secreted in para-or autocrine manner, IL-1 inhibits steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, what suggests the modulatory role of this cytokine in LH-dependent testosterone synthesis. Sertoli cells are also capable to produce IL-1. The level of interleukin-1 expression in these cells is distinctly connected with the intensity of DNA synthesis in gametogenic cells. Thus IL-1 could be a nutritional factor, important for activity of seminiferous epithelium. Its expression both in Sertoli and Leydig cells depends on the local concentrations of hCG, FSH and LH and the other cytokines (e.g. TNFa) or growth factors in testis. Hence, IL-1 appears as another element of regulatory network essential for maintenance of testis physiology.²