Colonization of Gardnerella vaginalis in semen of infertile men: prevalence, influence on sperm characteristics, relationship with leukocyte concentration and clinical significance.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in semen from infertile men and their negative effects on semen quality.
RESULTS: Cultures were positive in 24/108 infertile men (22.2%) and negative in controls. Infected semen showed no significant difference compared with non-infected semen. On the other hand, infected and non-infected semen presented significant differences in vitality, rapid and total progressive motility, normal head and mid-piece defects (p < 0.01) and combined anomalies (p < 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively) in comparison with the control group. Infected semen also presented significant differences in severely amorphous (p = 0.02) and tapered sperm (p < 0.01). Bacteriospermia and cells with attached bacteria (clue cells morphotype) were remarkable features observed.
CONCLUSION: G. vaginalis in semen is not associated with either abnormal sperm characteristics or inflammatory response in infected men. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.