Ureaplasma urealyticum reduces motility and induces membrane alterations in human spermatozoa

Abstract

The in-vitro effects of several concentrations of Ureaplasma urealyticum on the motility, membrane integrity and morphology of washed spermatozoa from healthy donors were studied. A significant reduction in sperm motility and signs of membrane alteration, directly related to U.urealyticum concentration and contact time were observed. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed masses of U. urealyticum attached to the head and middle piece of some of deformed spermatozoa. It is suggested that U.urealyticum is involved in sperm changes leading to male infertility, particularly when there is heavy U. urealyticum colonization or specific infections with this microorganism.

Mechanisms of the harmful effects of bacterial semen infection on ejaculated human spermatozoa: potential inflammatory markers in semen

“…The sperm surface is rich in glycoproteins and is thus susceptible to bacteriaspermatozoa interactions at the receptor-ligand level [34,35]. The tight adhesion between bacteria and male gametes was found for E. coli, C. trachomatis, T-mycoplasma, and U. urealyticum [10,24,36]. Interestingly, in our morphological in vitro study, the adhesion of Staphylococcus (S.) haemolyticus and Bacteroides (B.)…”

“…Patients with MAGI, especially when associated with C. trachomatis or U. urealyticum infection, often present significantly reduced sperm concentration, total sperm number, motile spermatozoa, or sperm with normal morphology [13,24]. However, the degree of impaired semen quality seems to be directly related to the extension of MAGI [72].…”

Comparison of Culture With the Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Gennital Mycoplasma

“…In addition, they may be acquired by neonates either in utero or by vertical transmission at birth and can cause pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, chronic lung disease, and meningitis of the newborn (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). In addition, infections with genital mycoplasmas have been linked with infertility (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Pathologic Findings

“…M hominis and U urealyticum have been associated with nongonococccal urethritis and have been demonstrated to impair human sperm function in vitro [24,25]. E coli and U urealyticum have been reported to decrease sperm motility [26][27][28]. Other pathogens include Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Haemophilus ducreyi, herpes simplex virus I and II, papillomaviruses, and Trichomonas vaginalis.…”