Open AccessDo Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in the genital tract affect semen quality?
Author(s) -
Wang Yan,
Liang CuiLing,
Wu JunQing,
Xu Chen,
Qin ShiXiao,
Gao ErSheng
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
asian journal of andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1745-7262
pISSN - 1008-682X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2006.00190.x
Subject(s) - ureaplasma urealyticum , semen , semen quality , ureaplasma , sex organ , gynecology , semen analysis , biology , andrology , medicine , physiology , obstetrics , infertility , pregnancy , mycoplasma , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Aim : To investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and semen quality. Methods : From 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20–45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine whether UU had a significant effect on semen quality after adjustment for confounding factors. Results : Findings suggested that UU infection was associated with higher semen viscosity and lower semen pH value. Sperm concentration was lower in UU positive subjects than that in UU negative subjects (54.04 × 10 6 /mL vs.70.58 × 10 6 /mL). However, UU did not significantly affect other semen quality indexes. Conclusion : UU infection of the male genital tract could negatively influence semen quality.