Multiple lesions contribute to infertility in males lacking autoimmune regulator (AIRE)

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 multi-organ autoimmunity and infertility. To determine the immune targets contributing to infertility in male Aire-deficient (-/-) mice, we paired Aire-/- or wild-type (WT) males with WT females.
Source: American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research