Colonization of Gardnerella vaginalis in semen of infertile men: prevalence, influence on sperm characteristics, relationship with leukocyte concentration and clinical significance.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in semen from infertile men and their negative effects on semen quality.


RESULTS
Cultures were positive in 24/108 infertile men (22.2%) and negative in controls. Infected semen showed no significant difference compared with non-infected semen. On the other hand, infected and non-infected semen presented significant differences in vitality, rapid and total progressive motility, normal head and mid-piece defects (p < 0.01) and combined anomalies (p < 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively) in comparison with the control group. Infected semen also presented significant differences in severely amorphous (p = 0.02) and tapered sperm (p < 0.01). Bacteriospermia and cells with attached bacteria (clue cells morphotype) were remarkable features observed.


CONCLUSIONS
G. vaginalis in semen is not associated with either abnormal sperm characteristics or inflammatory response in infected men.
Andrade-Rocha
Fernando Tadeu
FT
Semen Research Unit, Homero Soares Ramos Laboratory, Petrópolis, Brazil. ftarocha@yahoo.com.br
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology