Infection by CagA-Positive Helicobacter pylori Strains may Contribute to Alter the Sperm Quality of Men with Fertility Disorders and Increase the Systemic Levels of TNF-α

Collodel, Giulia; Moretti, Elena; Campagna, Maria Stella; Capitani, Serena; Lenzi, C.; Figura, Natale

doi:10.1007/s10620-008-0704-1

Cited by 34 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…It has been shown that infection with CagA-positive H. pylori strains in women is linked to an increased potential of early abortion and in men is related to poor sperm quality (6,26,27). Although several transmission pathways have been identified for this microorganism, the definite route of transmission is not completely understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Failure to Detect Helicobacter pylori DNA in Semen Samples of Patients Referred to the Avicenna Infertility Clinic - Tehran, Iran

Tabriz¹,

Bagheri²,

Saeedi³

et al. 2014

Int J Enteric Pathog

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Background:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic microorganism and a causative agent of many gastrointestinal tract diseases, as well as several extragastric infections. Several studies have suggested the possibility of sexual transmission of these bacteria. Objectives:The aim of the current study Was to determine the possibility of detecting H. pylori DNA in semen samples from infertile men, compared with healthy controls. Patients and Methods: One hundred infertile male patients and 100 age and gender-matched healthy controls have been enrolled in the study. Semen samples collected from each participant, undergone DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect the H. pylori. The ß-actin PCR was performed to verify the accuracy of DNA extraction. Results: Each sample was positive in the ß-actin PCR assay. None of the samples, from both patients and controls, showed positive PCR results. Consequently, statistical analysis was impossible to perform. Conclusions: We could not confirm the presence of H. pylori DNA in semen samples, but this does not exclude the possibility of male urethral colonization by this organism. Further studies with similar results are necessary to certify this hypothesis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on available literature, a H. pylori infection model, related to prostate and bladder diseases, has been hypothesized (5). In addition, an association between infection with H. pylori and poor sperm quality in infertile men, compared to uninfected individuals has been reported (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Failure to Detect Helicobacter pylori DNA in Semen Samples of Patients Referred to the Avicenna Infertility Clinic - Tehran, Iran

Tabriz¹,

Bagheri²,

Saeedi³

et al. 2014

Int J Enteric Pathog

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Section: Lettermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…that they are infected by bacterial genotypes endowed with an increased inflammatory potential), have a) increased systemic levels of tumor necrosis factor-alfa, a proinflammatory cytokine that may cause sperm damage; b) reduced sperm motility in vitro and c) a greater number of necrotic and apoptotic spermatozoa in their ejaculates [4]. The partial results of still another unpublished study from *Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Siena, Policlinico S. Maria alle Scotte, V.le Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy; Tel: +39 0577 233511; Fax: +39 0577 233527; E-mail: mailto:elena.moretti@unisi.it our group show that H. pylori infection may regulate the seminal levels of ghrelin, a hormone endowed with antiinflammatory properties [5] and involved in reproduction [6], suggesting that the infection may influence the semen concentration of hormones.…”

Section: Lettermentioning

confidence: 99%

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Reproductive Disorders

Figura¹,

Collodel²,

Moretti

2012

TOANDROJ

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Abstract:We propose to determine routinely the existence of an H. pylori infection in men and women with reduced fertility. Our proposal is based on the following observations: a) the infection is more prevalent in patients than controls, b) the infection could negatively affect semen quality, c) the presence of H. pylori influences the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood stream and stimulates the production of antibodies that, being also present in follicular fluids, vaginal mucous and semen of infected people, could possibly hamper the meeting of sperm with the oocyte. LETTERReproductive disorders are steadily increasing. Figura et al.,[1] proposed H. pylori infection as a possible concomitant cause of reduced fertility and sperm damage: the infection is significantly more common in both men and women with trouble procreating; infected individuals have specific antibodies in semen, follicular fluid and vaginal secretions, which may cross react in vitro with spermatozoa, suggesting the existence of autoimmune phenomena; the amino acid alignment of the human tubulin, a major sperm flagellar constituent, with H. pylori peptides may indicate the existence of an antigenic mimicry with the cytotoxinassociated gene A protein (CagA) and other H. pylori antigens.Other groups have shed new light on this topic. Kurotsuchi et al., [2] found that H. pylori infection was twice as prevalent in women with procreation problems, in whom the search for the most common causes of reduced fertility had yielded negative results. Ambrosini et al.,[3] have recently found that in vitro sperm motility through cervical mucous was significantly reduced in infected women and they concluded that anti-H. pylori antibodies could possibly hamper the meeting of sperm with the oocyte. These findings suggest that H. pylori infection, in both men and women, could contribute to decrease the probability of pregnancy.These observations are derived from solid bases of biological plausibility: H. pylori infected men, especially those with serum antibodies to the CagA protein (i.e. that they are infected by bacterial genotypes endowed with an increased inflammatory potential), have a) increased systemic levels of tumor necrosis factor-alfa, a proinflammatory cytokine that may cause sperm damage; b) reduced sperm motility in vitro and c) a greater number of necrotic and apoptotic spermatozoa in their ejaculates [4]. The partial results of still another unpublished study from

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“…suggested to be an important cause of infertility [11,12]. We therefore propose to include the test for pathogenic strains of H. pylori when treating cases of infertility.…”

Section: Regardless Of the Mechanisms H Pylori Infection Has Beenmentioning

confidence: 99%