Inflammation, immune cells, signaling mechanisms, and diseases of male reproductive system

Male infertility has become a serious issue in reproductive health. Inflammation of male reproductive system is a prevalent factor that influences male fertility. On the one hand, inflammation serves as the innate defense mechanism against injury, infection, and abnormal stimuli; and notably, it plays crucial roles in pathogen elimination, tissue repair, and the maintenance of internal homeostasis. On the other hand, inflammation can adversely affect spermatogenesis and lead to male infertility through oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and cellular damage. In this review, we discuss the categories and etiology of inflammation diseases in male reproductive system and the functions of testicular immune cells, e.g., testicular macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), mast cells, and Leydig cells, as well as signaling molecules and pathways by inflammation in male reproduction. Understanding these mechanisms may offer targets for therapeutic strategies to improve male fertility outcomes in inflammation-related condition. We also address therapeutic strategies for male reproductive system inflammation, including the use of antibiotics and lifestyle modifications. This review would help us better understand the mechanisms underlying the influence of inflammation on the male reproductive system. More significantly, it could be beneficial for treating inflammatory-related diseases of male reproductive system.