Male Partners of Infertile Couples With Seminal Positivity for Markers of Bacterial Vaginosis Have Impaired Fertility

Abstract

To access the possibility that key markers of bacterial vaginosis (KM-BV) could affect seminal parameters and thus fertility a prospective cohort study was designed (a) to develop rapid and sensitive multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) assays to screen 13 key markers of bacterial vaginosis (KM-BV) in semen specimens, (b) to determine the prevalence of KM-BV in semen from randomized male partners of couples seeking fertility evaluation. A total of 229 semen samples were included in the study from males who visited the Sperm Analysis Section of Brazil between October 2015 and March 2016. Eligible men were 18 years or older and had a semen analysis due fertility evaluation (after failing to conceive with their partner after 1 year of unprotected intercourse). Basic seminal parameters were analyzed, and KM-BV was detected by M-PCR assays. M-PCR assays clearly distinguished 13 KM-BV in 146 semen samples (63.8%), mainly Gardnerella vaginalis (50.7%). Some important associations occurred between the presence of KM-BV in semen and changes in seminal parameters. KM-BV is commonly present in the semen of males seeking fertility evaluation and could potentially play significant roles in male subfertility and/or infertility.

Keywords: bacterial vaginosis markers; infertile couples; semen; seminal parameters.

Figure 1.

Electrophoretic analysis of amplified fragments using M-PCR in 2% agarose gel. C1, positive control for Mycoplasma genitalium (193 base pairs–bp); β1, M. genitalium-positive β-globin (268 bp); A1, negative sample for M. genitalium; A2, negative control; C2, positive control for BVAB3 (160 bp); β2, BVAB3-positive β-globin (268 bp); A3, negative sample for BVAB3; A4, negative control; C3, positive control for Sneathia sanguinegens (102 bp); β3, S. sanguinegens-positive β-globin (268 bp); A5, negative sample for S. sanguinegens; A6, negative control; and M, molecular weight marker (100 bp).

Figure 2.

Electrophoretic analysis of amplified fragments using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) in 8% polyacrilamide gels. (A) Assay 1. Positive Controls: C1, Mobiluncus curtisii (130 base pairs–bp); C2, Megasphaera type 1 (211 bp); C3: Mycoplasma hominis (270 bp); C4, Gardnerella vaginalis (330 bp); C5, Ureaplasma urealyticum (541 bp); C6, Bacteroides fragilis (842 bp); A1, positive sample for M. type 1 (211 bp) and M. curtisii (130 bp); A2, positive sample for M. type 1 (211 bp); A3, positive sample for G. vaginalis (330 bp); A4, positive sample for B. fragilis (842 bp), G. vaginalis (330 bp) and M. hominis (270 bp); A5, positive sample for U. urealyticum (541 bp) and G. vaginalis (330 bp); A6; negative control; M1, molecular weight marker (100 bp); and M2, molecular weight marker (25 bp). (B) Assay 2. Positive Controls: C1, Atopobium vaginae (155 bp); C2, BVAB1 (90 bp); C3, BVAB2 (260 bp); A1, positive sample for A. vaginae (155 bp); A2, positive sample for BVAB1 (90 bp); A3, positive sample for BVAB2 (260 bp); A4, positive sample for BVAB1 (90 bp) and A. vaginae (155 bp); A5, negative control; and M, molecular weight marker (25 bp). (C) Assay 3. Positive Controls: C1, Mobiluncus mulieris (80 bp); C2, BVAB3 (160 bp); C3, Sneathia sanguinegens (102 bp); C4, M. genitalium (193 bp); A1, positive sample for M. mulieris (80 bp); A2, negative sample for BVAB3; A3, negative sample for S. sanguinegens; A4, positive sample for M. genitalium; A5, negative control; and M: molecular weight marker (25 bp).