title: Influence of urogenital infections and inflammation on semen quality and male fertility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urogenital infections and inflammation are a significant etiologic factor in male infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this review were acquired by a systematic search of the medical literature. Relevant cross-references were also taken into account.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We address infectious and inflammatory diseases of different compartments of the male genital tract and discuss their andrological sequelae. Chronic urethritis might be responsible for silent genital tract inflammation with negative impact on semen quality. In chronic pelvic pain syndrome, morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma alterations are detectable. In the majority of men with epididymitis, a transient impairment of semen quality can be found during the acute infection. However, persistent detrimental effects are not uncommon, even after complete bacteriological cure. The relevance of chronic viral infections as an etiologic factor in male infertility is believed to be underestimated. Data concerning the impact of HIV infection on male fertility are of increasing interest as with the improvement in life expectancy, issues of sexuality and procreation gain importance. Moreover, effects of noninfectious systemic inflammation on the male reproductive tract have to be considered in patients with metabolic syndrome, a disorder of growing relevance worldwide. Finally, microbiological and related diagnostic findings in urine and semen samples are reviewed according to their relevance for male infertility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Available data provide sufficient evidence that in men with alterations of the ejaculate, urogenital infections and inflammation have to be considered.
authors: Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH-Giessen, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Rusz
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pilatz
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Wagenlehner
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Linn
authors: Th
authors: T
authors: Diemer
authors: H C
authors: HC
authors: Schuppe
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lohmeyer
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hossain
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Weidner
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*