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Published on: December 12, 2011
Bacterial risk and sperm cryopreservation
1Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Nord, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France. rachel.levy@chu-st-etienne.fr
Abstract:
Prior to sperm cryopreservation, French guidelines only recommend viral screening for serological status towards human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses and Treponema palidum. The probability of semen infection by other bacterial pathogens is not taken into consideration by the current recommendations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate this risk and a strategy to reduce it prospectively. Ninety-six patients consulting for sperm cryopreservation underwent a semen culture simultaneously to cryopreservation. The patients were classified into three groups following semen culture results: negative culture (group 1, 77/96, 80.2%), positive culture with saprophytic agents (group 2, 9/96, 9.4%) and positive culture with pathogen agents (group 3, 10/96, 10.4%). For six patients of the latter group showing a genital infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum, a discontinuous gradient selection performed on the cryopreserved sample was efficient to discard bacteria. These data emphasize the usefulness to cultivate semen simultaneously to cryopreservation and demonstrate the ability to remove some microbial agents from semen before its use in assisted reproductive techniques.
Insights
French guidelines for sperm cryopreservation lack bacterial screening. This study found semen cultures are useful, identifying pathogens like Ureaplasma urealyticum and demonstrating methods to remove them before assisted reproductive techniques.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Microbiology
- Urology
Background:
- Current French guidelines for sperm cryopreservation focus on viral screening only.
- Bacterial pathogens in semen are not routinely screened for, potentially impacting fertility treatments.
- There is a need to evaluate the risk of bacterial semen infection and develop mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in semen samples undergoing cryopreservation.
- To evaluate a strategy for reducing microbial contamination in cryopreserved semen.
- To determine the effectiveness of semen culture alongside cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-six patients undergoing sperm cryopreservation had simultaneous semen cultures performed.
- Patients were categorized based on semen culture results: negative, positive for saprophytic agents, or positive for pathogenic agents.
- A discontinuous gradient selection method was used to remove bacteria from positive samples.
Main Results:
- 80.2% of semen cultures were negative.
- 9.4% showed saprophytic bacterial growth, and 10.4% revealed pathogenic agents.
- For patients with Ureaplasma urealyticum, gradient selection successfully removed bacteria from cryopreserved samples.
Conclusions:
- Semen culture concurrent with cryopreservation is valuable for identifying bacterial contamination.
- Microbial agents, such as Ureaplasma urealyticum, can be effectively removed from semen before use in assisted reproductive techniques.
- Implementing routine semen cultures can enhance the safety and efficacy of sperm cryopreservation and subsequent fertility treatments.
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