Ferran Barrachina: Treg Cell Depletion Triggers Autoimmunity and Male Infertility
Ferran Barrachina, Director of Analytical and Therapeutic Development at Gameto, shared a post on LinkedIn about a paper he and his colleagues co-authored published in Nature:
“Excited to share that a new article from my former postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital has been published in Nature Communications!
In this study, we demonstrate how the depletion of Treg cells disrupts immune tolerance in male reproductive organs. This breakdown leads to chronic autoimmunity, the production of anti-sperm antibodies, impaired sperm function, and the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures, ultimately contributing to reduced fertility.
This work highlights key mechanisms underlying male infertility and opens new avenues for precision-targeted therapies and even contraceptive strategies.
Congratulations to the entire team, and especially to Maia Lina Elizagaray and Maria Agustina Battistone, for their outstanding contributions!
Link to the article.”
Title: Chronic inflammation drives epididymal tertiary lymphoid structure formation and autoimmune fertility disorders in mice
Authors: Maia L. Elizagaray, Ferran Barrachina, Maria C. Avenatti, Isinsu Bastepe, Angela Chen, Ainize Odriozola, Oluchi Ukairo, Vanina G. Da Ros, Kiera Ottino, Nerea Subiran and Maria A. Battistone

Stay updated on all scientific advances in the field of fertility with Fertility News.
-
May 6, 2026, 01:35Alison Wright: BSGE 2026 Highlights Leadership Change and Future Vision
-
May 6, 2026, 01:30Short Menstrual Cycles May Signal Early Ovarian Ageing – Fertility Plus
-
May 6, 2026, 01:27Asma Khalil: Maternal Mental Health Remains a Leading Risk
-
May 5, 2026, 16:55Pregnancy Outcomes in a Recurrent Miscarriage Population After Uterine Surgeries – Fertility and Sterility
-
May 5, 2026, 16:43MAGENTA Oocyte Scores, Morphokinetics and Live Birth – Future Fertility
-
May 5, 2026, 16:34Join Us on 16 September to Explore Challenges in Managing a Successful Fertility Service – BFS
-
May 5, 2026, 16:17Mature Oocyte Retrieval Without an Exogenous Trigger During Stimulation – Fertility and Sterility
-
May 5, 2026, 16:08We Are Delighted to Announce that Fertility 2027 Registration Opens soon – Fertility Conferences
-
May 5, 2026, 15:59Lillian’s Story Highlights Urgency of Recognising Postpartum Preeclampsia – Preeclampsia Foundation
