The implication of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the impaired production of gonadal androgens by patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Patients showed decreased levels of testosterone in presence of high amounts of LH, together with augmented IFN-γ, IL-6 and TGF-β levels. Testicular histological sections showed abundant presence of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ in interstitial macrophages, Sertoli cells and some spermatogonia. In vitro treatment of Leydig cells with these cytokines led to a remarkable reduction of testosterone production.