Bacteria trigger oxygen radical release and sperm lipid peroxidation in in vitro model of semen inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the in vitro effect of five bacterial strains isolated from semen samples (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus oralis, Bacteroides ureolyticus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum) on reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) release and lipid sperm membrane peroxidation in the coincubated suspensions of white blood cells (WBC) with spermatozoa.


METHODS
An in vitro model of semen infection.


METHODS
Basic research laboratory.


METHODS
Healthy normozoospermic volunteers and healthy blood donors.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Chemiluminescent assay was used to evaluate ROI generation by WBC. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined in sperm lysates using high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
Of the bacterial strains tested, B. ureolyticus, S. haemolyticus, and E. coli caused the greatest damage to sperm membrane lipids. An increase in MDA levels in sperm lysates was a natural consequence of bacteria-induced ROI generation. The WBC usually enhanced harmful activity of the infectious agent toward the cell membranes.


CONCLUSIONS
The harmful effect of bacteria on spermatozoa depends on the type and species of microorganisms invading, colonizing, or infecting the male genital tract and is associated with the accompanying oxidative stress. The presence of leukocytes in semen appears to be the additional factor enhancing the sperm lipid membrane peroxidation, which may affect the fertility status.
Fraczek
Monika
M
Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Szumala-Kakol
Anna
A
Jedrzejczak
Piotr
P
Kamieniczna
Marzena
M
Kurpisz
Maciej
M
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000502:physiology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000502:physiology*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
D005609:Free Radicals; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species