Physiological Integrity of Human Sperm in the Presence ofUreaplasma Urealyticum

Abstract

Several species of Mycoplasmu have been isolated from the human genital tract, the most common being M. hominis and Ureuplasmu ureulyfk-um. A causal relationship between such infections and sperm dysfunction and infertility has yet to be established. It was the purpose of this study to examine the effects of U. urealyticum infection on the function of sperm as assessed by seminal fluid analysis (SFA), in vitro penetration of bovine cervical mucus (BCMP), and the hamster sperm penetration assay (SPA). No significant differences were noted in the SFA of infected and uninfected samples, either fresh or frozen, fertile or infertile. In addition, no differences were noted in the BCMP or SPA. In sperm from U. ureulyricurn-infected individuals the basic physiological mechanisms underlying mucus penetration and ovum fertilization seem intact.

Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum are detected in semen after washing before assisted reproductive technology procedures

“…Similarly, studies have reported no adverse effects of Ureaplasma-infected spermatozoa on in vivo semen variables (5,10,11), whereas others have reported a significantly lower sperm concentration (12,13) and significantly reduced sperm motility (13) in Ureaplasma-infected semen samples.…”

Male accessory gland infection and sperm parameters (review)

“…Apart from these evidences, no other studies have reported effects from U. urealyticum infection on sperm parameters. U. urealyticum infection had no effect on sperm function as observed during sperm analysis, in vitro bovine cervical mucus penetration assay and Hamster’s oocyte sperm penetration assay (Shalhoub et al. , 1986).…”