title: Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum are detected in semen after washing before assisted reproductive technology procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen and to explore their effect on semen andrology variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro fertilization (IVF) unit of a private hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred forty-three men participating in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen tested by culture, polymerase chain reaction assays, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ureaplasmas were detected in 73 of 343 (22%) semen samples and 29 of 343 (8.5%) washed semen samples. Ureaplasmas adherent to the surface of spermatozoa were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing. Ureplasma parvum serovar 6 (36.6%) and U. urealyticum (30%) were the most prevalent isolates in washed semen. A comparison of the semen andrology variables of washed semen ureaplasma positive and negative groups demonstrated a lower proportion of nonmotile sperm in men ureaplasma positive for washed semen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ureaplasmas are not always removed from semen by a standard ART washing procedure and can remain adherent to the surface of spermatozoa.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular Biotechnology, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. c.knox@qut.edu.au
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: W Rohini
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Edirisinghe
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stenzel
authors.forename: Felicity A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Purdie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Timms
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016990:Ureaplasma urealyticum / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure