Significance of positive semen culture in relation to male infertility and the assisted reproductive technology process

Jue, Joshua S.; Ramasamy, Ranjith

doi:10.21037/tau.2017.06.23

Cited by 21 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Leukocytospermia is generally considered as a marker of inflammation with a poor diagnostic value for genital tract infections [ 6 , 7 , 41 ]. Several factors independent of infectious challenges have been associated to elevated seminal leukocytes, including ageing, medications, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse [ 7 , 8 ]. In our study, leukocytospermia was not significantly associated with the presence of microbial pathogens in semen ( p = 0.09), as evidenced by the fact that 79% of leukocytospermic samples were microbiologically negative as reported before [ 42 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of asymptomatic genital tract infections on in vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome

et al. 2018

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BackgroundInfertility is estimated to affect approximately 9–30% of reproductive-aged couples. Several conditions involving one or both partners may contribute to infertility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of asymptomatic genital tract infections in the outcome of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in couples with infertility.MethodsA total of 285 infertile couples were enrolled in the study. Vaginal/endocervical swabs and semen samples were collected and subjected to microbiological analysis. Spermiograms were carried out on semen specimens, and lactobacilli were quantified in vaginal swabs. Data were associated with IVF results and analysed by using non parametric tests and multivariate analysis.ResultsMicrobiological analysis showed that 46.3% of couples presented with an asymptomatic genital tract infection. Spermiogram results showed a significantly diminished motility of sperm cells in samples positive to microbiological testing compared to negative specimens. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent species (11.6%) in positive semen samples and was found to negatively affect both sperm morphology (p = 0.026) and motility (p = 0.003). Analysis of genital swabs from females showed that the presence of E. faecalis (p<0.0001), Escherichia coli (p = 0.0123), Streptococcus agalactiae (p<0.0001), and Gardnerella vaginalis (p = 0.0003) was significantly associated to reduced levels of vaginal lactobacilli. Association of microbiological data with IVF outcome showed that 85.7% of IVF+ couples was microbiologically negative, while IVF was successful in just 7.5% of couples infected with E. faecalis and/or U. urealyticum and/or M. hominis (p = 0.02).ConclusionsThe results show the negative impact of E. faecalis on sperm quality and the association of definite bacterial pathogens with reduced levels of vaginal lactobacilli. The presence of E. faecalis and/or U. urealyticum and/or M. hominis in genital samples of infertile couples is predictive for a negative outcome of IVF.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microbial pathogens present in semen can directly and indirectly impact on sperm quality and function [ 5 ]. Bacteriospermia may be accompanied by leukocytospermia, although its clinical relevance in male infertility is controversial [ 6 – 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of asymptomatic genital tract infections on in vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome

et al. 2018

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“…Following the WHO's recommendations (70), medical history, physical examination and sperm analysis play a crucial role to suggest a microbiological assessment to the male partner of an infertile couple. In particular, leukocytospermia (leukocytes >1 million/ml), more frequently occurring in infertile patients compared to fertile men (72), deserves microbiological investigation, as suggested by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Practice Committee (73).…”

Section: Microbiological Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practical Clinical and Diagnostic Pathway for the Investigation of the Infertile Couple

Garolla

Pizzol

Carosso³

et al. 2021

Front. Endocrinol.

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CapsuleThis expert opinion summarizes current knowledge on risk factors for infertility and identifies a practical clinical and diagnostic approach for the male and female partners of an infertile couple aimed to improve the investigation and management of fertility problems.BackgroundInfertility represents an important and growing health problem affecting up to 16% of couples worldwide. In most cases, male, female, or combined factor can be identified, and different causes or risk factors have been related to this condition. However, there are no standardized guidelines on the clinical-diagnostic approach of infertile couples and the recommendations concerning infertility are sometimes lacking, incomplete, or problematic to apply.ObjectiveThe aim of this work is to provide an appropriate clinical and diagnostic pathway for infertile couples designed by a multidisciplinary-team of experts. The rationale is based on the history and physical examination and then oriented on the basis of initial investigations. This approach could be applied in order to reduce variation in practice and to improve the investigation and management of fertility problems.MethodsProminent Italian experts of the main specialties committed in the ART procedures, including gynecologists, andrologists, embryologists, biologists, geneticists, oncologists, and microbiologists, called “InfertilItaly group”, used available evidence to develop this expert position.OutcomesStarting from the individuation of the principal risk factors that may influence the fertility of females and males and both genders, the work group identified most appropriate procedures using a gradual approach to both partners aimed to obtain a precise diagnosis and the most effective therapeutic option, reducing invasive and occasionally redundant procedures.ConclusionsThis expert position provides current knowledge on risk factors and suggests a diagnostic workflow of infertile couples. By using this step-by-step approach, health care workers involved in ART, may individuate a practical clinical management of infertile couples shared by experts.

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“…Nevertheless, bacteriospermia can be minimised greatly by applying hygienic practices of collection, handling, packaging, sterilisation and sanitation protocol (Althouse, 2008; Sannat et al., 2015), and preputial washing (Meena et al., 2015). Sources for the bacterial contamination include normal microflora of prepuce, skin, urogenital tract, hair, respiratory fluids, faeces, poor hygienic conditions and contaminations related to laboratory environment and personnel (Althouse, 2008; Jue & Ramasamy, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semen quality and total microbial load: An association study in important Indian Goat breeds during different seasons

et al. 2021

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The invasion of the male urogenital tract by microorganisms, and its subsequent effects on sperm fertilising ability, has not been well discussed in bucks. The present study was conducted to assess the bacterial load in fresh semen of the 2–6 years old bucks. For conducting the experiment, semen ejaculates from 18 bucks (6 from each breed namely Jakhrana, Jamunapari and Barbari) were used. We collected 5 ejaculates from each buck in each season (Summer‐April to June, Rainy‐July to Sept and Winter‐November to January). Semen was collected with the artificial vagina (AV) method, and separate AV was used for each buck every time. The semen collection frequency was once in a week. Immediately after initial evaluation, collected semen samples were transferred to the microbiology laboratory of the institute. Thereafter, the semen samples were subjected to bacteriological examination to assess the microbial load. The results of the current study indicate that the microbial load in the semen was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Jamunapari bucks and in aged bucks. Bacteriospermia in different seasons was not significantly varied; however, nonsignificant increase in microbial load during the rainy season was observed. Overall, the average bacterial load in the semen of Jamunapari, Barbari and Jakhrana bucks was found 540.50 ± 55.88 CFU/ml, 391.81 ± 46.33CFU/ml and 388.93 ± 44.71 CFU/ml respectively. No significant difference in bacterial counts in the subsequent ejaculates among bucks was observed. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the proportions of motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity were negatively influenced by the increased bacterial contamination of buck semen.

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Significance of positive semen culture in relation to male infertility and the assisted reproductive technology process

Cited by 21 publications

References 23 publications

Impact of asymptomatic genital tract infections on in vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome

Impact of asymptomatic genital tract infections on in vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome

Practical Clinical and Diagnostic Pathway for the Investigation of the Infertile Couple

Semen quality and total microbial load: An association study in important Indian Goat breeds during different seasons

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