Microbiological Evaluation and Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Semen Samples of Patients Undergoing Fertility Investigation

Chiara Pagliuca,Paola D’Aprile,Federica Cariati,Francesca Carraturo,Francesca Bagnulo,Rossella Tomaiuolo,Roberta Colicchio,Ida Strina,Fabrizio Farina,Consolata Carotenuto,Carlo Alviggi,Paola Salvatore,Valeria D’Argenio,Elena Scaglione,Mariateresa Vitiello

doi:10.3390/genes12050654

Abstract

Fifteen percent of male infertility is associated with urogenital infections; several pathogens are able to alter the testicular and accessory glands’ microenvironment, resulting in the impairment of biofunctional sperm parameters. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of urogenital infections on the quality of 53 human semen samples through standard analysis, microbiological evaluation, and molecular characterization of sperm DNA damage. The results showed a significant correlation between infected status and semen volume, sperm concentration, and motility. Moreover, a high risk of fragmented sperm DNA was demonstrated in the altered semen samples. Urogenital infections are often asymptomatic and thus an in-depth evaluation of the seminal sample can allow for both the diagnosis and therapy of infections while providing more indicators for male infertility management.

Highlights

190 million people struggle with infertility worldwide and male infertility accounts for 50% of couples’ infertility cases [1]
Urogenital infections are implicated in the pathogenetic mechanisms that alter the nemaspermic cell, such as increasing the percentage of spermatozoa with low mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis attributable to the cytotoxic effect exerted by bacteria through membrane permeabilization [12]
The etiopathogenetic mechanisms that determine potential damage to spermatozoa are numerous and act at different levels: sperm cells can be damaged directly by pathogenic germs [20], bacterial products [21], toxic metabolites produced by microorganisms [21], seminal leukocytes, and soluble factors, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines [22]

Summary

Introduction

190 million people struggle with infertility worldwide and male infertility accounts for 50% of couples’ infertility cases [1]. As the semen consists of a concentrated suspension of spermatozoa, stored in the epididymis and, at the time of ejaculation, diluted with the secretions of the accessory glands of the genital tract (mostly prostate and seminal vesicles), some parameters can reflect the sperm capacity of the testicle, the patency of the ejaculatory ducts (the total number of spermatozoa), and the secretory capacity of the accessory glands (the total fluid volume). Both macroscopic and microscopic parameters are considered to highlight inflammatory phenomena [6]. The purpose of our study was to evaluate if alterations in human semen parameters (1) are correlated to microbiological agents and (2) sperm DNA damage (Figure 1)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion