Ureaplasma Urealyticum (T-Mycoplasma) Infection: Does it Have a Role in Male Infertility?

Desai, Shirish; Cohen, Marc; Khatamee, M.; Leiter, Elliot

doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)55498-1

Cited by 35 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In analogy to studies with [14,31] or without [4,8] quantitative determination of ureaplasmas, our data which are based upon 'significant' numbers of ureaplas mas, clearly demonstrate that ejaculate volume, sperm density, motility, and range of abnormal morphology in cases of well-established, ureaplasma-associated prostati tis do not differ from values in prostatodynia. However, recent investigations in women characterized by 'infertil ity with a male factor', have demonstrated a prevalence of ureaplasmal infections as compared with other infer tile persons [3].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Decreased sperm motility has even been considered evidence for the presence of ureaplasmas in semen specimens [32], Alterations of motility and sperm density and increased abnormal morphology of spermatozoa in semen samples infected by ureaplasmas, as compared with healthy controls, and improvement of semen quality by tetracycline therapy were described by several investigators [1 1, 18, 29, 32, 33]. However, these results could not be confirmed by others [4,8,14,19,31], Hence, the significance of urogenital infections by U. urealyticum to disordered male fertility is still a matter of controversy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Ureaplasmal Infections of the Male Urogenital Tract, in Particular Prostatitis, and Semen Quality

Weidner¹,

Krause²,

Schiefer³

et al. 1985

Urol Int

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Ureaplasma urealyticum is considered an etiologic agent in urogenital tract infections, especially prostatitis. Using the ‘four-specimen technique’, diagnosis can be based upon significant numbers of these microorganisms. In ejaculate, the critical number seems to be 10³ cfu/ml of semen to discriminate between real infection and contamination during urethral passage. In our study, 46 of 412 samples (11.2%) exceeded this critical number. Most but not all patients suffering from ureaplasma-associated prostatitis established by the ‘four-specimen technique’ revealed significantly high ejaculate numbers, whereas all samples from patients with prostatodynia and healthy controls had lower numbers. In these cases, numbers of round cells in semen, i.e. all leukocytes and spermatides, were significantly increased as compared to prostatodynia. A significantly negative correlation was detected between the numbers of ureaplasmas and zinc concentration in semen, and an almost identically negative correlation to the content of fructose, thus indicating secretory dysfunction of the accessory glands in ureaplasmal infections of the prostate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ureaplasmal Infections of the Male Urogenital Tract, in Particular Prostatitis, and Semen Quality

Weidner¹,

Krause²,

Schiefer³

et al. 1985

Urol Int

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“…If one considers the high ratio of men having mycoplasmas in the seminal fluid, as detected in the current study, then it probably is the result of contamination during ejaculation as reported repeatedly in previous studies [20,21] and of the heterogeneity of the semen samples. Moreover, not enough information was available regarding the influence of mycoplasmas on the sperm quality, as well as their relationship with the leukocyte count.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

<i>Ureaplasma urealyticum</i> and <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i> in Men Attending for Routine Semen Analysis

Andrade-Rocha¹

2003

Urol Int

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Aim: To investigate the clinical value of the screening of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in routine semen analysis. Material and Methods: Semen samples of 234 patients with several clinical settings (infertility, varicocele, spontaneous abortion, genital infections, undescended testicles, hemospermia, etc.) were distributed in three study groups: group 1 -- negative cultures; group 2 – normal colonization (≤10³ colony-forming units (cfu)/ml), and group 3 – pathogenic colonization (>10³ cfu/ml). Frequency rates, incidence by age and clinical settings, association with abnormal sperm characteristics (density, vitality, motility and morphology) and with the leukocyte count were investigated. Results: Prevalence of U. urealyticum was higher than M. hominis (≤10³ cfu/ml: 28.2 vs. 24.8%; >10³ cfu/ml: 20.5 vs. 13.3%). No difference was detected on the incidence of mycoplasmas by age and clinical settings, as well as in regard to the mean values of sperm density, vitality, motility, oval-headed sperm and leukocyte count (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In spite of the high incidence of mycoplasmas, not enough information was available regarding the influence of these microorganisms on the sperm quality and their relationship with the leukocyte count. Therefore, screening of U. urealyticum and M. hominis for routine semen analysis is not clinically relevant.

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“…In a survey of 10 authors, Megory et al (1987) noted an average incidence of mycoplasma infection of approximately 40% of infertile men, compared to an average of 28% in fertile controls. In contrast, other groups have been unable to confirm any association between ureaplasma infections and infertility or sperm quality (Desai et al, 1980;Weidner et at., 1985).…”

Section: Ureaplasma Urealyticummentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The incidence of ureaplasma infection has also been reported to be higher amongst couples with idiopathic infertility (Toth et al, 1983). In contrast, other groups have been unable to confirm any association between ureaplasma infections and infertility or sperm quality (Desai et al, 1980;Weidner et at., 1985). In contrast, other groups have been unable to confirm any association between ureaplasma infections and infertility or sperm quality (Desai et al, 1980;Weidner et at., 1985).…”

Section: Ureaplasma Urealyticummentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection in the male reproductive tract. Impact, diagnosis and treatment in relation to male infertility

Purvis¹,

Christiansen²

1993

Int J of Andrology

176

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The following are the conclusions that can be derived from a review of the literature regarding the role of infection in the aetiology of male infertility. (i) Temporary inflammatory episodes in the male reproductive tract which are self-limiting are probably common. (ii) Caution should be exercised in the use of leukospermia or bacteriospermia as parameters for glandular infection. (iii) There is a need for alternative techniques for detecting non-symptomatic deep pelvic infections in the male; one technique of great promise is rectal ultrasound. (iv) Rectal ultrasound indicates that a large number of men with poor sperm quality have a non-symptomatic, chronic prostatovesiculitis. (v) Increasing evidence implicates Chlamydia trachomatis as being a major cause of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. (vi) An important aspect of chlamydial infections in men may be that the male accessory sex glands may function as reservoirs for the organism, increasing the probability of infection in the female. (vii) Ureaplasma urealyticum may also play an important aetiological role in male infertility but its significance is confounded by its acknowledged function as a commensal in the reproductive tract. (viii) One of the manifestations of male reproductive tract infection is the induction of sperm autoantibodies. (ix) There is a need for more systematic controlled studies of the effects of antibiotic treatment on sperm quality with different preparations for extended periods using patient groups in which a glandular infection has been verified, e.g. by rectal ultrasonography.

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Ureaplasma Urealyticum (T-Mycoplasma) Infection: Does it Have a Role in Male Infertility?

Cited by 35 publications

References 14 publications

Ureaplasmal Infections of the Male Urogenital Tract, in Particular Prostatitis, and Semen Quality

Ureaplasmal Infections of the Male Urogenital Tract, in Particular Prostatitis, and Semen Quality

<i>Ureaplasma urealyticum</i> and <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i> in Men Attending for Routine Semen Analysis

Infection in the male reproductive tract. Impact, diagnosis and treatment in relation to male infertility

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