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The purpose of this study was threefold: to compare semen and first void urine (FVU) specimens from asymptomatic infertile men for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, genital ureaplasma, and genital mycoplasma infections using in-house inhibitor-controlled polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-microtiter plate hybridization assay; to determine the prevalence of those organisms in infertile men in Tunisia; and to study the relationship between these bacteria and male infertility. Paired urine and semen specimens from 104 patients were examined by in-house PCR for the presence of DNA of Chlamydia trachomatis, genital ureaplasmas (Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum) and genital mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium). Semen analysis was assessed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Nominal scale variables, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance test were used for statistical analysis. There was a very high concordance (.95%) and a very good agreement (k . 0.9) between the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, genital ureaplasmas, and Mycoplasma hominis in semen and corresponding FVU specimens. Our findings also show a high concordance (81.1%) and a good agreement (k 5 0.79) between the detection of Mycoplasma genitalium in both specimens. C trachomatis, genital mycoplasmas, and genital ureaplasmas were found to be widespread among infertile male patients in Tunisia, as shown by their respective prevalences of 43.3%, 18.3%, and 14.4%. The mean values of seminal volume, sperm concentration, sperm viability, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and leukocyte count were not significantly related either to the detection of C trachomatis DNA or to that of genital ureaplasma or mycoplasma DNA in semen specimens. Using our in-house PCR, both semen and FVU were found to be sensitive diagnostic specimens for the detection of C trachomatis, ureaplasmas, and mycoplasmas. The FVU, a less invasive and self-collected specimen, can serve as a marker for the presence of these organisms in the genital tract and can be used as a reliable way of detecting asymptomatic carriers of infection.

Background: Genital ureaplasmas (Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum) and mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis) are potentially pathogenic species playing an etiologic role in both genital infections and male infertility. Reports are, however, controversial regarding the effects of these microorganisms infections in the sperm seminological variables. This study aimed at determining the frequency of genital ureplasmas and mycoplasmas in semen specimens collected from infertile men, and at comparing the seminological variables of semen from infected and non-infected men with these microorganisms.

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In this study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Zingiber officinale roscoe and Allium subhirsutum aqueous extracts were examined in a carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model. Some markers of inflammation such as hematological parameters, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein were measured. Variables reflecting oxidative stress included thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation of protein products (AOPP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione were determined in both inflamed foci and erythrocytes. The in silico molecular docking simulation showed that the main components of Zingiber officinale roscoe and Allium subhirsutum bound to toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) with high affinities. Moreover, histological examinations of paw edema were carried out. Both Zingiber officinale roscoe and Allium subhirsutum ameliorated the induced inflammation and oxidative stress status as outlined by anti-edematous, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Our investigation lends pharmacological support to the medical uses of these spices in the management of inflammatory disorders and oxidative damage. The results of the in silico assay satisfactory explain the in vivo effects as compared with indomethacin.