Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bacteria in semen influences sperm quality
Investigators studied bacterial contamination in sperm samples of 1256 men at an infertility clinic. The presence of bacteria in semen samples is closely associated with sperm quality, their research shows.
The contamination of sperm samples by some bacteria species is also closely associated with infertility, report Elena Moretti, from the University of Siena, Italy, and colleagues.
Over an 8-year period, 1,256 male individuals were referred to an infertility clinic for semen analysis. The median duration of infertility was 3.75 years of unprotected intercourse without conception.
Spermiogram, semen culture, and sperm transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed, along with a culture test to identify common bacteria that colonize the male reproductive tract.
Overall, 33% of men had bacteria in their semen samples.
Within each bacteria species identified, fertile men had semen quality similar to that of uninfected controls. On the other hand, sperm quality was significantly decreased among infertile men.
"Bacteria in semen samples may influence the sperm quality, mainly by the induction of apoptosis and necrosis, which may in part be responsible for the observed reduction of sperm motility," suggest the researchers.
Source: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 2008; Advance online publication
The contamination of sperm samples by some bacteria species is also closely associated with infertility, report Elena Moretti, from the University of Siena, Italy, and colleagues.
Over an 8-year period, 1,256 male individuals were referred to an infertility clinic for semen analysis. The median duration of infertility was 3.75 years of unprotected intercourse without conception.
Spermiogram, semen culture, and sperm transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed, along with a culture test to identify common bacteria that colonize the male reproductive tract.
Overall, 33% of men had bacteria in their semen samples.
Within each bacteria species identified, fertile men had semen quality similar to that of uninfected controls. On the other hand, sperm quality was significantly decreased among infertile men.
"Bacteria in semen samples may influence the sperm quality, mainly by the induction of apoptosis and necrosis, which may in part be responsible for the observed reduction of sperm motility," suggest the researchers.
Source: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 2008; Advance online publication
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