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Tam Le, M., Nguyen Nguyen, D., Bach Nguyen, H., Quynh Tram Ngo, V., & Quoc Huy Nguyen, V. (2022). Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma genitalium detection and sperm quality: A cross-sectional study in Vietnam. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM), 20(3), 185-194. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v20i3.10710

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v20i3.10710

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authors

  • Minh Tam Le

    Minh Tam Le

    Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University Hospital, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.
  • Dac Nguyen Nguyen

    Dac Nguyen Nguyen

    Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University Hospital, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.
  • Hoang Bach Nguyen

    Hoang Bach Nguyen

    Department of Microbiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.
  • Viet Quynh Tram Ngo

    Viet Quynh Tram Ngo

    Department of Microbiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.
  • Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen

    Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam.

Published Date

  • Apr 21, 2022

Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma genitalium detection and sperm quality: A cross-sectional study in Vietnam

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM) / International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 20, Issue No. 3 / Pages 185-194

Abstract

Background: Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) and Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) may colonize the male genital tract. However, the negative effects of these bacteria on overall sperm quality, including semen pH, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and total sperm count remain unclear.


Objective: This study aimed to determine the presence of genital U. urealyticum and M. genitalium in semen and evaluate the effect of these organisms on sperm quality.


Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 380 men from infertile couples at a tertiary university hospital from July 2017 to June 2018. Semen quality was analyzed according to the World Health Organization 2010 standard, and U. urealyticum and M. genitalium were detected in the semen samples using polymerase chain reaction.


Results: 338 men (88.9%) presented with at least one abnormal semen parameter. The detection rates of U. urealyticum and M. genitalium were 16.05% and 0.79%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the Ureaplasma-positive group and the Ureaplasma-negative group in terms of sperm characteristics. Sperm motility and sperm vitality in the Mycoplasma-positive group were much lower than those in the Mycoplasma-negative group (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively).


Conclusion: The presence of U. urealyticum in the semen of infertile men did not affect the sperm characteristics. Although the positive rate of M. genitalium was low, colonization by these bacteria was more likely to negatively affect sperm quality.


Key words: Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Infertility, Spermatozoa.

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