The effect of presence of facultative bacteria species on semen and sperm quality of men seeking fertility care
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Date
2016
Authors
Enwuru C.A
Iwalokun B.
Enwuru V.N
Ezechi O.
Oluwadun A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Introduction: Infections of male urogenital tracts may contribute to male infertility. However, the effects
of bacterial presence on sperm quality and fertility are controversial.
Objectives: We investigated the occurrence of non-specific bacteria and quality/quantity of semen of infertile
and fertile control groups in Nigeria.
Subjects and methods: We investigated 162 infertile and 54 fertile men. Spermiogram, culture, bacterial
isolation and characterization were conducted.
Results: We report 114/162(70.4%) occurrence of bacteria species, 49.4% of such were Gram positive
and 21% Gram negative: Staphylococcus aureus (29.6%) and Escherichia coli (10.5%) had the highest
occurrence for each group respectively. On semen quality/quantity, we report 14.2% azoospermia, 52.5%
oligozoospermia and 33.3% of normozoospermia. The mean sperm concentrations were 10
×
7/ml and
41
×
10 6/ml for oligo and normozoospermia respectively. Majority (52%) of azoospermic group had
no bacterial growth. S. aureus was the most implicated among the bacterial positive group. Within the
ologozoospermic category, 28% had no bacterial growth, 28% had S. aureus and 11.8% E. coli. The nor-
mozoospermic patients had 18.5% no bacteria contamination, 33.3% had S. aureus, 13% had E. coli. From
the analysis, the normozoospermic group with bacterial contamination had lower sperm concentrations
compared with those without contamination. It was apparent that factors other than bacterial contamination
may contribute more to oligozoospermia (compare: “no bacteria” group mean sperm concentration
8.97×106/ml, Gram positive bacteria contaminated group 17.74×106/ml and Gram negative bacteria.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Facultative , Bacteria , Infertility , Semen , Research Subject Categories::PHARMACY
Citation
Enwuru CA, Iwalokun B, Enwuru VN, Ezechi O, Oluwadun A (2016). The effect of presence of facultative bacteria species on semen and sperm quality of men seeking fertility care; African Journal of Urology; 22, 213–222.