MIF, the Immune System & Male Infertility

Let’s take some time to talk about macrophage migration inhibitory factor or MIF. It is at play in the immune system and helps regulates the production of protein. It plays a role in the responses caused by autoimmune diseases.  It isn’t know exactly how MIF works with other immune system substances to produce swelling and inflammation, but organisms that are inflamed or swollen as a result of autoimmune diseases, produce more MIF.

And, it seems, MIF also helps sperm to mature and move around. A team at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research led by Yousef Al-Abed, PhD have finally isolated MIF in sperm.  In addition, they have found that men whose sperm contains too much or too little MIF have trouble conceiving.  Too much decreases sperm count and impairs sperm motility. Too little and the sperm doesn’t mature, says a study in the journal Molecular Medicine.

Only men with the right levels don’t have trouble conceiving.

Since about 40% of infertility problems are due to the sperm side of the equation, isolating the substance will probably lead to tests for male infertility when couples have trouble conceiving. Dr. Al-Abed also thinks it might work as a hormonal contraceptive for men. Most of his work consists of trying to find ways to block the activity of MIF to treat autoimmune diseases.

“The idea is to suppress inflammation so that cells stop producing MIF,” said Dr. Al-Abed.