Luca Boeri1, Filippo Pederzoli2, Paolo Capogrosso3, Costantino Abbate3, Massimo Alfano3, Nicasio Mancini4, Massimo Clementi4, Emanuele Montanari5, Francesco Montorsi6, Andrea Salonia7. 1. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 2. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. 3. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. 4. Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. 5. Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 6. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. 7. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: saloniaandrea@yahoo.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of asymptomatic semen infections on seminal parameters in men presenting for primary couple's infertility. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from 1689 infertile men were analyzed. INTERVENTION(S): Semen analysis was based on 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. Each patient underwent semen culture test to identify common urogenital pathogens. Infections by Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Chlamydia spp. were evaluated through a real time polymerase chain reaction platform. Descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regression models were used to test the association between semen infections and clinical, seminal, and hormonal parameters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of asymptomatic semen infection and impact of semen infection on sperm parameters. RESULTS: Of 1689 men, 354 (21.0%) had an asymptomatic positive semen culture. Ureaplasma urealyticum (37.6%) was the most frequent single pathogen, followed by Enterobacteriaceae (any type; 24.8%), other pathogens (20.3%), Chlamydia trachomatis (3.4%) and Mycoplasma spp (3.4%). Positive semen cultures were associated with lower sperm concentrations (P<0.001) and progressive motility (P<.001). These latter findings were mostly particular to men with infections caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum compared with negative semen cultures. A positive semen culture was both univariably (P<.001) and multivariably (P=.04) associated with a lower sperm concentration. CONCLUSION: One out of five men presenting for a couple's primary infertility had asymptomatic semen infections, which were significantly associated with impaired sperm concentration. These observations point out the importance of an accurate investigation of semen infection in the everyday clinical practice diagnostic workup of infertile men.
OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of asymptomatic semen infections on seminal parameters in men presenting for primary couple's infertility. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from 1689 infertilemen were analyzed. INTERVENTION(S): Semen analysis was based on 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. Each patient underwent semen culture test to identify common urogenital pathogens. Infections by Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Chlamydia spp. were evaluated through a real time polymerase chain reaction platform. Descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regression models were used to test the association between semen infections and clinical, seminal, and hormonal parameters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of asymptomatic semen infection and impact of semen infection on sperm parameters. RESULTS: Of 1689 men, 354 (21.0%) had an asymptomatic positive semen culture. Ureaplasma urealyticum (37.6%) was the most frequent single pathogen, followed by Enterobacteriaceae (any type; 24.8%), other pathogens (20.3%), Chlamydia trachomatis (3.4%) and Mycoplasma spp (3.4%). Positive semen cultures were associated with lower sperm concentrations (P<0.001) and progressive motility (P<.001). These latter findings were mostly particular to men with infections caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum compared with negative semen cultures. A positive semen culture was both univariably (P<.001) and multivariably (P=.04) associated with a lower sperm concentration. CONCLUSION: One out of five men presenting for a couple's primary infertility had asymptomatic semen infections, which were significantly associated with impaired sperm concentration. These observations point out the importance of an accurate investigation of semen infection in the everyday clinical practice diagnostic workup of infertilemen.
Authors: Federico Belladelli; Luca Boeri; Edoardo Pozzi; Giuseppe Fallara; Christian Corsini; Luigi Candela; Walter Cazzaniga; Daniele Cignoli; Luca Pagliardini; Alessia D'Arma; Paolo Capogrosso; Eugenio Ventimiglia; Francesco Montorsi; Andrea Salonia Journal: Metabolites Date: 2022-02-03
Authors: Maria Torcia; Elisabetta Baldi; Sara Marchiani; Ilaria Baccani; Lara Tamburrino; Giorgio Mattiuz; Sabrina Nicolò; Chiara Bonaiuto; Carmen Panico; Linda Vignozzi; Alberto Antonelli; Gian Maria Rossolini Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-09-28 Impact factor: 4.379