Aim: To investigate the clinical value of the screening of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in routine semen analysis. Material and Methods: Semen samples of 234 patients with several clinical settings (infertility, varicocele, spontaneous abortion, genital infections, undescended testicles, hemospermia, etc.) were distributed in three study groups: group 1 -- negative cultures; group 2 – normal colonization (≤103 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml), and group 3 – pathogenic colonization (>103 cfu/ml). Frequency rates, incidence by age and clinical settings, association with abnormal sperm characteristics (density, vitality, motility and morphology) and with the leukocyte count were investigated. Results: Prevalence of U. urealyticum was higher than M. hominis (≤103 cfu/ml: 28.2 vs. 24.8%; >103 cfu/ml: 20.5 vs. 13.3%). No difference was detected on the incidence of mycoplasmas by age and clinical settings, as well as in regard to the mean values of sperm density, vitality, motility, oval-headed sperm and leukocyte count (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In spite of the high incidence of mycoplasmas, not enough information was available regarding the influence of these microorganisms on the sperm quality and their relationship with the leukocyte count. Therefore, screening of U. urealyticum and M. hominis for routine semen analysis is not clinically relevant.

Keywords:
Semen, Mycoplasmas, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Semen analysis, Spermatozoa, Semen leukocytes
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
2003
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.