Sperm motility, morphology, hyperactivation, and ionophore-induced acrosome reactions after overnight incubation with mycoplasmas.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect on the function on human sperm of overnight incubation with mycoplasma species.


METHODS
Prospective controlled in vitro study.


METHODS
Community-based sperm bank and andrology laboratory.


METHODS
Percoll-separated sperm were incubated overnight with a low densities of Myco-plasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum serotypes.


METHODS
Motility, midpiece and tail morphology, hyperactivation after overnight capacitation, and acrosome status after incubation with calcium ionophore.


RESULTS
Overnight incubation with mycoplasma species resulted in small but highly statistically significant differences in motility, morphology, hyperactivation after overnight capacitation, and proportion acrosome reacted after incubation with calcium ionophore compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Incubation with mycoplasma species impairs sperm physiology. Identification and treatment of mycoplasma may augment a physiology-based infertility evaluation.
Rose
B I
BI
Fertility and Reproductive Health Services, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Scott
B
B
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000502:physiology*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036292:pea lectin; D000001:Calcimycin; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate