Evaluation of the Presence of Bacterial and Viral Agents in the Semen of Infertile Men: A Systematic and Meta-Analysis Review Study

Abstract

ObjectivesInfections in the male genitourinary system with bacterial and viral agents may play a significant role in male infertility. These agents usually infect the urethra, seminal vesicles, prostate, epididymis, vas deferens, and testes retrograde through the reproductive system. A meta-analysis review study was performed to evaluate the presence of bacterial and viral agents in the semen of infertile men and its correlation with infertility.MethodsRelevant cross-sectional and/or case-control studies were found by an online review of national and international databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google scholar), and suitable studies were selected. A checklist determined the qualities of all studies. Heterogeneity assay among the primary studies was evaluated by Cochran’s Q test and I2 index (significance level 50%). A statistical analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Stata ver. 14 package (StataCorp, College Station, TX, United States).ResultsSeventy-two studies were included in this meta-analysis. Publication bias was compared with Egger’s test, and the impact of each research on overall estimate was evaluated by sensitivity analysis. In 56 studies, the rate of bacterial infections in the semen of infertile men was 12% [95% confidence interval (CI): 10–13]. Also, in 26 case-control studies, the association of infertility in men with bacterial infections was evaluated. The results show that the odds ratio of infertility in men exposed to bacterial infections is 3.31 times higher than that in non-infected men (95% CI: 2.60–4.23). Besides, in 9 studies that examined the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2), and herpes simplex virus 1-2 (HSV1-2) in infertile men, the frequency of these viruses was 15% (95% CI: 9–21). In 6 case-control studies, the association between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and HPV and male infertility was evaluated. The chance of male infertility due to exposure to these viruses was 2.24 times higher than those without exposure to these viruses (CI 95%: 1.9–4.52). The results show that the chance of infertility in men exposed to bacteria was significantly higher than that in the uninfected population.ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that viral and bacterial infections are a risk factor and could impair male fertility potential. Moreover, our study supports the hypothesis that bacterial and viral infections of the genital tract correlate positively with impairment of sperm quality in the male population.

Is monkeypox a new, emerging sexually transmitted disease? A rapid review of the literature

“…The blood‐testis barrier is a unique, extremely complex, biologically, and physiologically fascinating ultrastructure in the mammalian testis 76,77 . It consists of Sertoli cells—the epithelial cells of the seminiferous epithelium—and, in rodents, also of peritubular myoid cells.…”

“…The blood-testis barrier is a unique, extremely complex, biologically, and physiologically fascinating ultrastructure in the mammalian testis. 76,77 It consists of Sertoli cells-the epithelial cells of the seminiferous epithelium-and, in rodents, also of peritubular myoid cells. It is located near the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule segregating the seminiferous epithelium into the basal and the adluminal/apical compartments.…”

Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Stress and Approaches to Disorder Correction During Early Development

“…Одной из причин мужского бесплодия являются также хронические инфекционные процессы, протекающие в половозрелом возрасте. Бактериальное или вирусное инфицирование урогенитального тракта индуцирует воспаление в семенниках и влияет на подвижность и количество сперматозоидов [23]. Низкое количество сперматозоидов обнаруживают у 15-20% молодых мужчин.…”

Strategies for Bacterial Eradication from Human and Animal Semen Samples: Current Options and Future Alternatives

“…While the possibility of the initial bacterial contamination of semen is currently not taken into consideration by the current guidelines, neither for human nor for animal ejaculates [ 26 ], a vast collection of evidence indicates that bacteriospermia may lead to depleted sperm motion activity and membrane integrity [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 27 , 28 ], morphological aberrations to the sperm head, acrosome, mid-piece, and tail [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], a deteriorated mitochondrial function and ATP production [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 30 ], DNA fragmentation, and the onset of cell death [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Sperm agglutination [ 28 , 30 , 31 ], the release of bacterial toxins and cytotoxic cytokines, as well as high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have also been frequently reported in ejaculates compromising bacteria [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 27 , 31 ]. It has also been revealed that the processing of a contaminated semen sample could modify the biochemical properties of semen extenders or ART media, which may compromise the shelf life of extended semen [ 22 , 26 , 32 ].…”