Multiple Lesions Contribute to Infertility in Males Lacking Autoimmune Regulator.

ABSTRACT: Male factors, including those of autoimmune origin, contribute to approximately 50% of infertility cases in humans. However, the mechanisms underlying autoimmune male infertility are poorly understood. Deficiency in autoimmune regulator (AIRE) impairs central immune tolerance because of diminished expression of self-antigens in the thymus. Humans with AIRE mutations and mice with engineered ablation of Aire develop multiorgan autoimmunity and infertility. To determine the immune targets contributing to infertility in male Aire-deficient (^-/-) mice, Aire^-/- or wild-type (WT) males were paired with WT females. Aire^-/- males exhibited dramatically reduced mating frequency and fertility, hypogonadism, and reduced serum testosterone. Approximately 15% of mice ex

SUBMITTER: Warren BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8420865 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature