Immunomodulation, Hormonal Imbalance related to Bisphenol A induced Male Infertility

Abstract

Background: Male infertility has several etiologies, including immunological diseases. Environmental factors affect the immune system and fertility conditions. Idiopathic male infertility is defined by altered semen parameters without a cause and no female factor infertility. Growing evidence suggests the immune system may independently contribute to male infertility.

Methods: Blood and seminal fluid samples were obtained from 90 men, including 30 healthy controls and 60 infertile male patients with no reported gynecological abnormalities in their partners. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was used to estimate the concentration of serum total Bisphenol A (BPA), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), anti-sperm antibodies-immunoglobulin A (ASA-IgA), and F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs). Hormone levels were analyzed using Cobas e-411.

Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in BPA, IL-1β, ASA-IgA, F2-IsoPs, and estradiol (E2) levels, with higher mean values in infertile males, while testosterone levels were reduced. Semen parameters showed significantly lower mean values among patients compared to controls. A strong positive correlation was found between BPA and testosterone levels. IL-1β demonstrated significant positive correlations with E2, F2-IsoPs, and the LH/FSH ratio, and a negative correlation with testosterone. Luteinizing hormone (LH) showed a significant positive relationship with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). ASA-IgA was positively correlated with F2-IsoPs and IL-1β, but negatively correlated with testosterone. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed high diagnostic accuracy for IL-1β and F2-IsoPs (AUC ≈ 0.74).

Conclusions: BPA exposure may induce autoimmune and oxidative mechanisms leading to male infertility via endocrine-immune crosstalk.