Centre for Reproduction & Development

Endocrinology & immunophysiology

Lab head: Associate Professor Mark Hedger

The male reproductive tract has a unique relationship with the immune system. We know the immune system in the testis is naturally suppressed, as sperm does not appear in the reproductive tract until after the immune system is developed. By investigating the unique mechanisms of immunoregulation in the testis and the effects of inflammation and infection on male reproductive function, Associate Professor Hedger and his team wish to better understand the relationship between the male reproductive tract and the immune system. This will provide them with clues about autoimmune infertility, inflammation and infections of the male reproductive tract, and may eventually hold the key to the development of male contraceptives and immunotherapeutics that could be used for transplant patients.

Immunoregulation in the male reproductive tract
The presence of immunosuppressive molecules in the fluids surrounding the developing germ cells provides a novel explanation for the phenomenon of immune privilege in reproductive tissues. This work also has implications for the development of novel therapeutics for autoimmune disease such as lupus and arthritis, as well as reproductive diseases, including prostatitis and infertility.

Characterisation of lymphocyte cell subsets in the male reproductive tract
A greater level of understanding of the properties of these cells and their cytokine/regulator production profiles has implications for obstructive azoospermia patients (patients who suffer infection or inflammation to the genital tract), development of male contraceptives targeting the genital tract, and for understanding and eventually treating chronic pelvic inflammatory syndromes.

Biology, regulation and function of the testicular macrophages
These immune cells play a crucial role in the testicular immune response, testicular development and teh response to inflammation and infection, but their biology is imcompletely understood. A greater understanding of their fundamental biology will increase our knowledge of how macrophages operate in an immune-privileged tissue, and may also provide an explanation for gender-based differences in immune functions.

Inflammatory networks in control of spermatogenesis and consequences for disease
Cytokines and other inflammatory mediators play an important, yet poorly studied, role in testicular function and its regulation. The team is addressing several important questions to further understanding in this area, such as:
Are inflammatory networks in the testis are essential for fertility?
How does the testis recognise and respond to infections and inflammation?
Is there a link between inflammation of the male reproductive tract and male infertility?