The effect of seminal pathogens on standard semen parameters, sperm kinematics and seminal inflammatory markers

Aghazarian, Artin; Huf, Wolfgang; Klingler, Hans Christoph; Klatte, Tobias

doi:10.1016/j.jri.2023.104183

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

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“… 29 , 30 The study of the semen microbiome is still in its infancy, but some recent studies have suggested that certain bacteria such as Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis have a detrimental effect on morphology. 31 , 32 …”

Section: Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice

Pelzman,

Sandlow

2024

Reprod Medicine & Biology

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BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reporting sperm morphology in a standard semen analysis. However, the clinical utility and prognostic value of morphology is often debated.MethodsWe reviewed and summarized studies that assessed both the benefits and limitations of sperm morphology in the context of natural fertility, assisted reproductive technologies, and recurrent pregnancy loss. We additionally describe possible environmental and anatomical etiologies of teratozoospermia.ResultsSperm morphology evaluation has continuously evolved since the release of the first WHO manual in 1980. Initially, several large studies reported significant inverse associations between fertility outcomes and teratozoospermia. Most recent studies, however, fail to show an association between sperm morphology and natural or assisted fertility outcomes.ConclusionSperm morphology analysis may have limited diagnostic and prognostic value. Providers should be aware of these limitations when counseling or managing infertile patients.

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Section: Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice

Pelzman,

Sandlow

2024

Reprod Medicine & Biology

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Impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on semen parameters and in vitro fertilization outcomes in infertile men

Wan,

Chen,

Chen

et al. 2024

Front. Endocrinol.

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IntroductionUreaplasma urealyticum (UU) is a common pathogen associated with genital tract infections in infertile males. However, its impact on semen quality, embryo development, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effect of male UU infection on semen parameters, embryo development, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal health in infertile couples.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,215 infertile couples at the First Hospital of USTC. Participants were divided into two groups based on the male partner’s UU infection status: UU-positive (n=249) and UU-negative (n=966). Semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, anti-sperm antibodies, DNA stainability) were assessed. Embryo development was evaluated through fertilization rates and blastocyst formation rates. Pregnancy outcomes (clinical pregnancy, live birth rates, miscarriage rate) and neonatal health (gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, preterm delivery) were also compared.ResultsSemen parameters, including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, were similar between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups. However, the UU-positive group had significantly higher levels of anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) (p=0.020) and higher DNA stainability (HDS) (p=0.014). Despite these differences, embryo quality, as measured by fertilization rates and blastocyst formation rates, was not significantly different between the two groups. Pregnancy outcomes, including clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, were also comparable. While the UU-positive group had a slightly higher miscarriage rate, this difference was not statistically significant. Neonatal outcomes, including gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, and preterm delivery rate, did not differ significantly between the two groups.DiscussionThe study suggests that while male UU infection may adversely affect certain semen parameters, its impact on IVF outcomes—such as embryo quality, pregnancy rates, and neonatal health—appears to be minimal. These findings support the continued use of IVF as a viable and safe option for infertile couples with male UU infection, as it does not significantly influence reproductive or neonatal outcomes.

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Associations of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with male infertility and intrauterine insemination outcomes

Wan,

Shi,

Liu

et al. 2024

Asian Journal of Andrology

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Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation (P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.

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The effect of seminal pathogens on standard semen parameters, sperm kinematics and seminal inflammatory markers

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice

Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice

Impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on semen parameters and in vitro fertilization outcomes in infertile men

Associations of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with male infertility and intrauterine insemination outcomes

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