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Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells
X J Shang1, Y F Huang, C L Xiong
1Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430030, China. shangxj98@hotmail.com
Aim:
To study the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and apoptosis of human spermatogenic cells.
Methods:
Spermatogenic cells were observed under light microscope with Wright-Giemsa staining and by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique.
Results:
Apoptotic rate of UU-infected males (15.5% +/- 6.8%) was significantly higher than that of controls (5.2% +/- 2.3%).
Conclusion:
Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells can be caused by UU infection, which provides further evidence for UU-induced male infertility.
Insights
Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection significantly increases the apoptosis rate in human spermatogenic cells. This finding supports UU as a cause of male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Microbiology
- Cellular biology
Background:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is a common genital tract pathogen.
- Male infertility is a significant health concern with multifactorial causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and apoptosis in human spermatogenic cells.
- To explore the potential role of UU in male infertility.
Main Methods:
- Human spermatogenic cells were examined using light microscopy with Wright-Giemsa staining.
- The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique was employed to detect apoptosis.
Main Results:
- The apoptotic rate in UU-infected males was significantly elevated at 15.5% (+/- 6.8%) compared to controls at 5.2% (+/- 2.3%).
Conclusions:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum infection can induce apoptosis in spermatogenic cells.
- These findings provide evidence linking UU infection to male infertility.