Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.2.1.17 (lysozyme)
 21,489 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

An intraperitoneal inflammatory process has been associated with infertility in women without anatomic distortion of the pelvic viscera, particularly with endometriosis. This phenomenon was investigated by measuring peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum levels of a major secretory product of the macrophage, lysozyme, in fertile and infertile women undergoing laparoscopy. Serum lysozyme levels were in the normal range and did not correlate with total PF lysozyme. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between adnexal adhesions and PF volume (P less than 0.05), PF leukocyte number (P less than 0.05), and total PF lysozyme (P less than 0.05). Significant correlations were found between total PF lysozyme and PF volume (r = 0.72, P less than 0.0001) and leukocyte number (r = 0.67, P less than 0.0001). These results suggest that a localized intraperitoneal inflammatory reaction is associated with infertility in the absence of anatomic distortion of the pelvic viscera.
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PMID:The nature of the intraperitoneal exudate associated with infertility: peritoneal fluid and serum lysozyme activity. 366 82

A chronic infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was invariably found in the infertile regions of uteri containing foreign bodies in conventional rats, germfree rats, mice, and rabbits. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were never found in the fertile regions of these uteri. A foreign body in the uterus of the rat, and probably also the mouse, was associated with a bacterial infection which spread the inflammatory response throughout the horn containing the foreign body, and in the mouse occasionally into the control horn as well. No bacteria could be cultured from the rabbit uterine horn containing a foreign body. In the germfree rat, both the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the uterus and fertility were significantly different from that observed in the conventional rat. Whereas in the conventional rat the inflammation and infertility extended along the entire length of the uterine horn containing a small foreign body, in the germfree rat the inflammation and infertility were closely correlated to the position of the foreign body. As judged by measurements of lysozyme in the uterine lumens of rats and rabbits, polymorphonuclear leukocytes released their contents into solution in the uterine lumen. It is concluded that some substance derived from polymorphonuclear leukocytes may exert toxic effects on fertilized ova or on spermatozoa and thus be responsible for the infertility of uteri containing foreign bodies.
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PMID:The relationship of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to infertility in uteri containing foreign bodies. 603 52

The roles of uterine inflammation and infection in creating an environment hostile to fertilized eggs or spermatozoa which would explain the contraceptive action of IUDs were investigated in the rat, rabbit, and mouse. Inflammation, as evidenced by the appearance of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, was always present along with a foreign body, and inflamed areas corresponded to regions of known infertility: the entire length of the horn containing the foreign body in the rat uterus, the corresponding horn as well as part of the control horn in the mouse, and only the tissue in contact with the foreign body in the rabbit. Acute inflammatory response (polymorphonuclear stage) persisted indefinitely after insertion of the IUD. Lysozyme measurements in rat and rabbit uteri indicated that polymorphonuclear leucocytes released their contents into the lumen in infertile regions. Cultured rat uteri containing foreign bodies were found to contain over 100 million bacteria of mixed species (compared to none in controls), while rabbit uteri appeared bacteria free. The effects of inflammation were separable from those of infection, however, with the use of germ-free rats. The presence of a foreign body in these rats was associated with a very localized inflammation, with lysozyme only in the segment in contact with the foreign body. Fertilized eggs entered and implanted in the noninflamed region when the foreign body was in the cervical end of the horn; when it was in the ovarian end, all ova were killed, indicating that the antifertility effect of the IUD was possible in absence of bacteria. It is concluded that some component of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte may kill fertilized eggs and thus be responsible for the infertility of uteri containing IUDs.
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PMID:A possible role for granulocytes in the action of intrauterine contraceptive devices. 608 36

An evaluation was done of the immunity status in 100 women presenting with infertility of associated genesis. An immunologic investigation into blood serum, follicular fluid (FF) and peritoneal fluid (PF) was carried out at day 14-16 and 18-23 of the menstrual cycle. The functional status of spermatozoa was characterized with the aid of the index of their survival in FF and PF. Local humoral immunity of FF and PF differs from the indices in blood serum, which fact was manifested by a striking reduction of Igs G, A, M. Sperm-immobilizing antibodies (SIAB) have been identified in blood serum, FF, and PF in 14, 4%, 22.4%, and 25% of women. SIAB production is associated with inadequacy of local immunity, such as low levels of SIgA, IgA, and lysozyme. Occurrence of SIAB in PF and FF worsens general motility of spermatozoa by agglutination of the latter, which fact undoubtedly affects conception.
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PMID:[Local humoral immunity in women with combined forms of infertility]. 978 12

The human endometrium is an important site of innate immune defence, giving protection against uterine infection. Such protection is critical to successful implantation and pregnancy. Infection is a major cause of preterm birth and can also cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Natural anti-microbial peptides are key mediators of the innate immune system. These peptides, between them, have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity and are expressed at epithelial surfaces throughout the female genital tract. Two families of natural anti-microbials, the defensins and the whey acidic protein (WAP) motif proteins, appear to be prominent in endometrium. The human endometrial epithelium expresses beta-defensins 1-4 and the WAP motif protein, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Each beta-defensin has a different expression profile in relation to the stage of the menstrual cycle, providing potential protection throughout the cycle. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is expressed during the secretory phase of the cycle and has a range of possible roles including anti-protease and anti-microbial activity as well as having effects on epithelial cell growth. The leukocyte populations in the endometrium are also a source of anti-microbial production. Neutrophils are a particularly rich source of alpha-defensins, lactoferrin, lysozyme and the WAP motif protein, elafin. The presence of neutrophils during menstruation will enhance anti-microbial protection at a time when the epithelial barrier is disrupted. Several other anti-microbials including the natural killer cell product, granulysin, are likely to have a role in endometrium. The sequential production of natural anti-microbial peptides by the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and at other sites in the female genital tract will offer protection from many pathogens, including those that are sexually transmitted.
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PMID:Innate immune defences in the human endometrium. 1464 12

The immunocytokine status of the reproductive tract was evaluated in men with different forms of gonorrhea, who lived in the urbanized areas of the Orenburg Region. The typical form of gonorrhea, which is a risk for infertility, is accompanied by the reduced levels of lysozyme and IL-10 and the increase content of lactoferrin and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, Ibeta-6, and IL-8 in the ejaculate.
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PMID:[Risk factors for violations of the fertility in men living in urban areas]. 2308 18