Prevalence of sexually transmissible pathogens in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia

Abstract

Objective-To determine the prevalence of pathogens that cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia (LCS), and associations between STIs, inflammatory markers and other semen variables.Design-Retrospective, controlled study. Results-STI DNA was detected in 45/241 (18.7%) of the samples (CMV 8.7%, HPV 4.5%, HHV-6 3.7%, HSV 3.7%, CT 2.5%, EBV 0.4%, and HBV 0%), with no difference in prevalence between LCS and non-LCS groups. STI DNA in semen was associated with a decrease in sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count and neutral α-glucosidase concentration, whereas LCS was associated with a decrease in total sperm count, % normal forms and fructose concentration. Setting-CenterReprint requests: Deborah J. Anderson, Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Suite 516, Boston, MA 02118, (FAX: 617-414-8481; e-mail: E-mail: deborah.anderson@bmc.org). Capsule: Sexually transmissible pathogens were detected in 19% of semen samples from infertility patients seeking routine semen analyses; their presence was not associated with leukocytospermia, but was associated with reduced semen quality.Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Conclusion(s)-STI pathogen DNA was detected in semen from a high percentage of asymptomatic male infertility patients and was associated with poor semen quality. Efforts to diagnose and treat subclinical genital tract infections should be intensified. NIH Public Access

Effect of threonine on immunity and reproductive performance of male mice infected with pseudorabies virus

“…In the present study, results showed that semen quality declined in male mice infected with PRV, which was similar to the results of previous studies by Kapranos et al (2003) and Bezold et al (2007). The process of spermatogenesis is regulated by a complex interplay of endocrine and paracrine signals.…”

“…The increase of IL-1b expression in the testis during local infection or inflammation is associated with decreased testosterone production and intensity of spermatogenesis (Huleihel and Lunenfeld, 2004), and higher IL-1 concentration have an detrimental effect on sperm motility and fertilization (Anderson and Hill, 1988). Moreover, the sperm count was negatively related to IL-1 level (Bezold et al, 2007), and sperm motility and morphology was negatively related to TNF-a levels (Kocak et al, 2002). In the present research, the concentrations of IL-1b and TNF-a in testis decreased as Thr levels increased.…”

The Impact of Bacterial Infections on Human Spermatozoa

“…The passive or active invasion of these bacterial strains induce a generalized or local reaction in the urogenital tract and is often observed as an asymptomatic subclinical inflammation caused by pathogens (50,51).…”

“…In vitro studies have shown significant positive correlations between WBCs in semen and deterioration in total sperm count (50), motility (53,57), morphology (50,57,58) and sperm viability (57).…”

Persistence of ultrasound alterations after antibiotic treatment with levofloxacin in patients with male accessory gland infection

“…In particular, a recent retrospective study explored the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection bacteria in semen samples from asymptomatic male infertile patients with and without leukocytospermia, showing that the DNA of sexually transmitted infection bacteria was detectable in 45/241 (18.7%) of the samples, with no difference in prevalence between the leukocytospermic and non leukocytospermic groups. 5 Bacteriological analyses more frequently reveal different types of microorganisms considered to be the aetiological agents isolated in different biological samples, including urine, expressed prostatic secretions and semen, and on urethral swabs. These germs are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus spp., Enterococcus, Staphylococcus spp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.…”