The effect of Ureaplasma urealyticum on semen characteristics.

Semen samples from 280 men were cultured for Ureaplasma. The presence of Ureaplasma in the male genital tract did not affect ejaculate volume, motility, viability, or morphology. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in the presence than in the absence of Ureaplasma. The longevity of sperm as evaluated by sperm motility and viability at different intervals of time was also not influenced by the presence of Ureaplasma. Biochemical parameters, namely zinc, magnesium, acid phosphatase, and fructose were not affected by the presence of Ureaplasma. No relationship of Ureaplasma with sperm antibodies, aerobic infection, or anaerobic infection was observed.