Abstract
Humankind has been interested in reproduction for millennia. Infertility, in which male factors contribute to approximately 50%, is estimated to concern over 72 million people worldwide. Despite advances in the diagnosis, medical treatment, and psychosocial management of male infertility over the past few decades, approximately 30% of male infertility is still thought to be idiopathic. Despite emerging advances in the microbiome associated with male infertility have indicated that the microbiome may be a key factor to the management of male infertility, roles, and mechanisms of the microbiome remain ambiguous. Here, we mainly discussed the association between microbial infection in the genital tract and male infertility, effect of antimicrobial therapy on male reproduction, association between microbial dysbiosis and male infertility, and effect of probiotic intervention on male reproduction. This review made progress toward establishing a relationship between the microbiome and male infertility, and explored the role of the microbiome in male infertility. We call for more high-quality studies to focus on the relationship between microbes and male infertility, and strongly suggest increasing awareness among sterile males with microbial infection and/or microbial dysbiosis when they seek fertility help.
Highlights
Lyu et al (2017) showed that the pooled Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence was higher in fertility clinic attendees (20.4%, 95% CI = 16.2–24.6%) than in the general population (11.4%, 95% CI = 7.8–15.0%), providing clues to HPV prevalence in semen and its relationship with male reproductive function
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be detected in semen shortly after infection and during all subsequent stages of disease, current research suggests that sperm alterations can be attributed to the effects of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy rather than HIV infection itself (Garolla et al, 2013; Liu et al, 2018)
Microbial infection or dysbiosis can affect male infertility, to date, only scant information is available about the influence of microbial infection or dysbiosis or its exact molecular mechanisms
Summary
Infertility is defined as couples who have had regular sex for more than 1 year without contraception failing to conceive and has been regarded as a major global public health issue. Impaired sperm parameters, including a decrease in semen volume, sperm count, and progressive sperm motility, as well as an increase in abnormal sperm morphology in male patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, have been found in several studies (Table 1). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be detected in semen shortly after infection and during all subsequent stages of disease, current research suggests that sperm alterations can be attributed to the effects of anti-HIV therapy rather than HIV infection itself (Garolla et al, 2013; Liu et al, 2018) Other viruses, such as herpesviruses, cytomegalovirus, and adeno-associated virus, were reported to be connected with male infertility; currently available evidence does not support a clear association between these factors and male fertility (Garolla et al, 2013).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
