Influence of autogenous leucocytes and Escherichia coli on sperm motility parameters in vitro

Abstract

Urogenital infections are considered important factors in male infertility. In this in vitro study we have evaluated the impact of leucocytes in association with an artificial infection with Escherichia coli on the motility of human spermatozoa. Ejaculates and blood samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal semen parameters. Ejaculates were prepared by swim-up technique and five fractions were isolated for incubation. Leucocyte subtypes were separated from blood samples by gradient centrifugation. Purified sperm suspensions were adjusted to a concentration of 20 x 106 ml-1 and incubated with lymphocytes/ monocytes, polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN), and E. coli. Samples were incubated for up to 6 h at 37 degrees C. Motility analysis was performed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Spermatozoa incubated with 3 x 106 PMN ml-1 revealed a significant (P=0.003) decrease in progressive motility after 2 h. This decrease remained weakly significant (P=0.024) after 4 and 6 h. Lymphocytes and monocytes had no effect on sperm motility. Spermatozoa incubated with granulocytes and E. coli demonstrated highly significant alterations in motility after 4 and 6 h of incubation (P < 0.001). The PMN indicate an effect on motility of spermatozoa under experimental conditions. However, the results suggest that bacteria are the primary agents that interfere with sperm motility.

Lipid Peroxidation in Human Spermatozoa from Men with Genitourinary Infections

“…However we found a clear presence of E. Coli and U. Urealyticum in Groups 2 and 3 presenting the worst semen parameters, reduced motility and higher LPO versus Group 1, in which coagulase-negative staphylococci were found more often. The negative effect of E. Coli on sperm motility has already been reported [Diemer et al 2003;Qiang et al 2007]; moreover U. urealyticum phospholipases A and C may influence changes in the lipid composition of the cell membranes of sperm, leading to loss of integrity and increased permeability .…”

The Impact of Bacterial Infections on Human Spermatozoa

“…An inhibitory effect of E. coli, serotype 06, on sperm motility has been investigated by some authors (105). Sperm incubated with E. coli demonstrated significant alterations in motility (78,106). Some investigators revealed that the immobilization of spermatozoa may occur as a result of direct contact of the sperm with bacterial cells (105,107).…”

Interference of Human Spermatozoal Motility by Live Staphylococcus aureus

“…E. coli probably represents the most frequently isolated microorganism in genitourinary infections (Weidner et al, 1991). E. coli rapidly adheres to human spermatozoa in vitro, resulting in agglutination of spermatozoa (Diemer et al, 2003). Agglutination of spermatozoa was produced only by live pathogenic E. coli whereas killed bacteria failed to do so.…”