Prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Chlamydia trachomatis infections, and semen quality in infertile and fertile men in China

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), mycoplasma hominis (MH), and chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections among infertile and fertile men and to study the effects of these infections on semen quality.

Methods: A total of 621 infertile and 615 fertile men were enrolled in this study in our hospital between January 2011 and June 2013. Semen samples were obtained by masturbation after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence. Semen analysis was performed using the methods outlined by the World Health Organization. UU and MH were detected using culture, and CT was detected using polymerase chain reaction.

Results: There were no significant differences between infertile and fertile men in terms of the prevalences of UU, MH, and CT. The presence of UU was related, in infected compared with uninfected men, to lower mean sperm concentration and lower vitality. The differences in semen parameters associated with MH or CT between infected and uninfected men did not attain statistical significance.

Conclusion: During the infertility assessment, the clinician should consider evaluating for the presence of UU in men with oligospermia or decreased sperm vitality.