Seminal plasma allergy

Sperm must pass a complex route in the female reproductive tract (FRT) to reach the fertilization site and join the oocyte. Thus, it should employ several mechanisms to survive against the female immune system, fertilize the oocyte, and successfully transmit paternal genes to the next generation. In addition to self-protection, sperm may be involved in the immune tolerance to the developing embryo and regulating the FRT for embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy. Hence, this review intends to summarize the mechanisms that protect sperm in the FRT: including immunomodulatory factors that are carried by seminal plasma, cell-to-cell and molecular interaction of sperm with epithelial and immune cells of the FRT, high regulated secretions of inflammatory factors such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, inducing immune tolerance to paternal antigens, and specialized expression of cell receptors and binding proteins...

Successful embryo implantation requires transient, well-controlled inflammation in decidualizing cells. In mice, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) by stimulation with factors present in seminal fluids has been shown to be a key upstream driver of a controlled inflammatory response. Clinical evidence supports that exposure of the female reproductive tract to seminal plasma promotes implantation success. We investigated the response of EECs to TLR2 (Pam3Csk4), TLR 3 (Poly I:C), and TLR4 (lipopolysaccharides [LPS]) ligands with respect to secretion of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 10 (CXCL10) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in infertile patients with minimal-to-mild endometriosis (EECs-endo) (n = 38) and those of healthy, fertile women (EECs-healthy) (n = 30)...

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-38 and IL-41 are novel cytokines, but their role in male infertility (MI) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure the levels of serum IL-38 and IL-41 in patients with MI and correlate these levels with semen indexes. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with MI and 45 healthy controls (HC) were recruited for this study. Semen parameters were detected using computer-aided sperm analysis, Papanicolaou staining, ELISA, flow cytometry, peroxidase staining and enzyme methods...

Varicocele is a condition in which the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum dilates abnormally during puberty, affecting testicular growth and semen parameters, and is thought to be a major cause of male infertility. The findings of researches on the presence of the Fas system in sperm are controversial. As the main triggers of apoptosis in the semen of patients with varicocele, in this study, we examined the expression of Fas/Fas-L on sperm cells and also the levels of their soluble forms in seminal plasma...

PURPOSE: Despite the vaginal mucosa is able to respond to allergenic stimuli, vaginal allergic responses have been under investigated in clinical practice. Thus, we aimed to identify the most frequent etiological agents responsible for vulvovaginal allergies, the prevalent signs/symptoms, and the diagnostic tests applied in this clinical condition. METHODS: Literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, Web of Science, and EMBASE. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020167238)...

In both men and women, pathogenic bacteria enter the reproductive tract and cause harmful symptoms. Intrauterine and oviductal inflammation after copulation may have severe effects, such as infertility, implantation failure, oviduct obstruction, and robust life-threatening bacterial infection. Human seminal plasma is considered to be protective against bacterial infection. Among its components, Semenogelin-I/-II proteins are digested to function as bactericidal factors; however, their sequences are not conserved in mammals...

BACKGROUND: Intimacy-related allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are under-reported due to social stigma, lack of awareness, and misdiagnosis. The differential diagnosis for intimacy-related anaphylaxis is extensive and includes systemic human seminal plasma allergy, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, asthma exacerbation, latex allergy, and transference of food or drug allergens through saliva or seminal fluid. CASE PRESENTATION: Two adolescents met on a popular dating phone application...

In order to explore the interrelation of Calcium, cAMP, and redox state of pyridine nucleotides in seminal plasma and ejaculate quality in cases of idiopathic infertility we conducted an evaluation of 170 infertile males and 46 fertile males aged 20-43 years. Sperm analysis was undertaken according to WHO protocol. The content of Calcium in the seminal plasma was detected using optical emission spectrometry, cAMP levels were determined via enzymatic immunoassay. The redox state of pyridine nucleotides was evaluated from the ratio of pyruvate to lactate, determined via enzymatic method...

BACKGROUND: Seminal plasma contains a wide range of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Part of these signalling molecules assist in inducing a state of active maternal immune tolerance towards the fetus. Disbalances in seminal plasma content may contribute to pregnancy loss. This study investigated cytokine expression profiles in seminal plasma of male partners of couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and the association with clinical and lifestyle characteristics, including smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index (BMI)...

Epididymitis, one of the most common urological disease, is a significant cause of male infertility. Leptin is capable of modulating both reproduction and immune response. We analyzed the serum and seminal plasma levels of leptin in infertile patients with or without chronic epididymitis. Experimental epididymitis models were generated by administrating 200 μg Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of leptin in epididymis were detected using qPCR, Western blots 6-72 h after injection, and using immunohistochemistry 72 h after injection...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

IgE and not IgG is usually associated with allergy. IgE lodged on mast cells in skin or gut and basophils in the blood allows for the prolonged duration of allergy through the persistent expression of high affinity IgE receptors. However, many allergic reactions are not dependent on IgE and are generated in the absence of allergen specific and even total IgE. Instead, IgG plasma cells are involved in induction of, and for much of the pathogenesis of, allergic diseases. The pattern of IgG producing plasma cells in atopic children and the tendency for direct or further class switching to IgE are the principle factors responsible for long-lasting sensitization of mast cells in allergic children...

BACKGROUND: Allergic reaction to seminal plasma was described decades ago. In USA, only tens of thousands women are estimated to be affected. Not only seminal plasma but also cervicovaginal fluid contains sex-restricted antigens, yet allergy to cervicovaginal fluid has never been reported in medical literature. We came to a suspicion that because immunologic tests required to prove such a diagnosis, allergy to cervicovaginal fluid has never been reported yet it is not uncommon. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to use an Internet-based questionnaire to characterize the population of men with suspected hypersensitivity to cervicovaginal fluid...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intimate behaviours may represent an unusual way of exposure to a culprit allergen, or the frame for sex-related allergies due to triggers typically linked to that situation. The present review aims at summarizing the state of the art about the topic, in order to spread the awareness and the basic know-how in the field of sexual-related allergies. RECENT FINDINGS: Kiss-related IgE-mediated reactions are caused in sensitized partners mainly by the passive transport of allergenic molecules through saliva, skin or oral mucosa...

Hypersensitivity to human seminal plasma is rare, but probably under-diagnosed. It should be suspected in women with unexplained anaphylaxis, vulvo-vaginitis, pelvic pain and dyspareunia. The diagnosis relies on the clinical presentation, the exclusion of other causes, a positive skin test result to seminal plasma and the detection of IgE directed to allergenic proteins (such as prostate specific antigen). Use of condoms is the best preventive measure. Premedication with antihistamines or anti-inflammatory agents is often unreliable...

The exact prevalence of hypersensitivity reactions related to sexual behaviours is not known; however, they heavily impact on the quality of life and of sex life of affected patients. In fact, not only common respiratory and skin allergies, such as asthma, rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis, but also food and drug allergy have been found to negatively affect the quality of sex life. Allergic diseases impact on the sexual function in both physical and psychological ways, representing one of the main complaints of a considerable proportion of patients...

A semen allergy is a type I reaction. Reliable figures about incidence/prevalence are not available. Symptoms can be characterized as local and systemic. After exposure to ejaculate, the patient may experience itching and swelling at points of contact, while systemically it may also lead to generalized urticaria with angioedema or higher grade anaphylaxis. As triggering allergens, substances in seminal plasma (SP) have been identified, which can be SP typical or SP atypical. Reactions against spermatozoa have not yet been clearly proven...

BACKGROUND: The genital area has a high exposure to various allergens that are not always obvious. Out of shame patients may not complain about symptoms in this area. Moreover, diagnosis and therapy are often not primarily conducted by a dermatologist and allergologist. Therefore, many cases of allergic diseases in the genital area remain undetected. OBJECTIVES: Which type I and type IV allergies occur in the genital area? Which allergens are currently of importance? Which are the characteristics of allergic diseases in the genital area? What are the symptoms and differential diagnoses? What to focus on when taking medical history and in clinical diagnostics? MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current medical literature regarding allergic diseases in the genital area is discussed...

Allergy to human seminal plasma (HSP) is rare. It presents with a variety of symptoms, ranging from localized changes to generalized reactions or even anaphylactic shock. Symptoms typically start within minutes to one hour after exposure. Diagnosis is based on history, evidence of specific IgE antibodies and skin prick testing (SPT). A 25-year-old Caucasian woman presented with eyelid swelling, generalized urticaria and dyspnea immediately after unprotected coitus with her partner. No symptoms occurred when barrier contraception was used...

BACKGROUND: The existence of IgE binding to dog dander extract without IgE antibodies against the described dog allergens (Can f 1, 2, 3 and 4) implies the presence of other dog allergens yet to be identified. Recently, an IgE-binding protein was isolated from dog urine and identified as prostatic kallikrein; it has been named Can f 5. Cross-reactivity between a dog dander allergen and human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been described. The aim of this study was to identify the dog dander allergen that presents cross-reactivity with PSA and demonstrate its clinical relevance in our patient with human seminal plasma allergy...