Prevalence ofUreaplasma urealyticumandUreaplasma parvumin semen of infertile and healthy men

Abstract

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a causative agent of non-gonococcal urethritis and is implicated in the pathogenesis of prostatitis, epididymitis and infertility. The organism is more common in partners of infertile than fertile marriages. U. urealyticum infections not only jeopardize fertility but also pose a risk for infertility treatment and resulting pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of U. urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum in semen of infertile and healthy men by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Semen samples were obtained from infertile patients and healthy controls and were subjected to the routine andrological analysis and PCR. DNA was extracted by the Cadieux method, and analysed by PCR protocol with specific primers for urease and multiple-banded antigen genes. Ureaplasmas were detected significantly by PCR in 12 of 100 (12%) semen specimens from infertile patients and in three of 100 (3%) healthy men. The volume of semen fluid, concentration of sperm cells, and sperm cell with normal morphology were significantly decreased in infertile men. In the group of infertile patients with PCR positive for Ureaplasmas, the volume, count and morphology of semen samples were lower than in the infertile patients with PCR-negative results. U. urealyticum species in semen of infertile men was found to be high (9%) than in healthy controls (1%). Detection rate for U. parvum was 3% in the infertile group and 2% in healthy men. The results indicate that U. urealyticum species is more common in specimens of infertile men. The percentage of normal sperm cells, the volume of semen and the percentage of sperm cells with motility in the PCR positive for U. urealyticum species group were lower than in the PCR positive for U. parvum group.

The Role of Chlamydia trachomatis in Male Infertility

“…However, Zeighami et al found that U. urealyticum was more common in semen of infertile men that in semen of healthy controls. Also, in infertile patients infected with ureaplasmas, the volume, count and morphology of semen samples were lower than in infertile patients negatives for the detection of the microorganisms [130]. Gdoura et al reported that the comparison of the semen parameters of infertile men with and without genital mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas showed no significant differences, apart from the sperm concentration in the infection of M. hominis and M. genitalium and sperm morphology in the infection of M. hominis.…”

Molecular Study for Diagnosis of Ureaplasma parvum in Women with Recurrent Miscarriage

“…infection detected in this study suggests that this agent is widespread among miscarried women. This can be attributed to the sexual activity among this groups since there is an increased in estrogen hormone produced from female genital tract leading to change the vaginal environment which is regarded as a factor for infection [33]. because the estrogen is important hormone during pregnancy, it makes to adjust the level of the hormone progesterone is essential in the formation and development of the fetus, so pregnancy is one of the reason leading to the rise in the hormone estrogen [34].…”

Detection of Potential Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens by Molecular Methods

“…Evidence has been presented that the species currently known as U. urealyticum should be separated into two new species, namely, U. parvum (previously U. urealyticum biovar 1) and U. urealyticum (previously U. urealyticum biovar 2) . The exact role of U. urealyticum in male infertility remains a controversial subject as well as M. genitilium [16,17].…”

“…Laboratory diagnosis: Ureaplasmal infections have been traditionally diagnosed by culture, however, the culture is time consuming as it requires 2-5 days, whereas NAATs can detect their infections in few hours [17,18]. PCR-based methods are also becoming an important alternative to conventional culture for initial detection of ureaplasmas in clinical specimens and have the additional advantage of discrimination between the two Ureaplasma species [19].…”