Relationship of bacteriological characteristics to semen indices and its influence on fertilization and pregnancy rates after IVF.
BACKGROUND
To determine if routine semen culture is useful in asymptomatic couples joining an in-vitro fertilization (IVF/ET) program.


METHODS
Bacterial cultures and semen analysis according to WHO recommendations were performed on semen samples obtained before oocyte recovery from 88 asymptomatic couples undergoing IVF during a 7-month period.


RESULTS
In 46 cultures at least one kind of microorganisms could be isolated. Forty-two cultures either contained bacterias regarded as normal skin flora (n = 14) or showed no growth of microorganisms (n = 28). No differences were found in sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology between the semen samples with positive bacteriology and those with negative culture results. Sperm motility was decreased before Percoll preparation if microorganisms were present. Positive culture results had no effect on either fertilization or pregnancy rates.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that bacteriospermia is not associated with abnormal sperm function after Percoll preparation or adverse IVF outcome.
Bussen
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Würzburg, Germany.
Zimmermann
M
M
Schleyer
M
M
Steck
T
T
D000328:Adult; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000382:microbiology; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013290:Streptococcal Infections