Characterization of microbiota in male infertility cases uncovers differences in seminal hyperviscosity and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia possibly correlated with increased prevalence of infectious bacteria. (3rd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monteiro, Catarina; Marques, Patrícia I.; Cavadas, Bruno; Damião, Isabel; Almeida, Vasco; Barros, Nuno; Barros, Alberto; Carvalho, Filipa; Gomes, Sílvia; Seixas, Susana
• Is Part Of: American journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 79:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-03-03
• Subjects: oligoasthenoteratozoospermia -- seminal hyperviscosity -- seminal microbiome -- urogenital infections; Human reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.69206
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12838
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-7408

Abstract

Abstract : Problem: Sexually transmitted diseases and other infections of male genitourinary tract are thought to negatively impact reproductive health, affecting semen quality. Despite a possible link between bacteria and infertility, few studies attempted to characterize seminal microbiota in healthy and diseased subjects. Methods of the study: A high‐throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed in a cohort of infertility‐related cases (N = 89) and controls (N = 29) using a pooled sample approach. Results: A global characterization of microbiota was obtained at low cost, without compromising the identification of bacterial taxa. This strategy allowed us to detect changes in the microbiota of infertility‐related phenotypes, such as an increment of Proteobacteria in seminal hyperviscosity, and to separate this later group from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia based in bacterial (family/genus) abundances. Conclusion: We provide data for a likely contribution of bacteria into seminal hyperviscosity and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, partially correlated with an increment of Neisseria, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas pathogens and a reduction in Lactobacillus probiotic agent.