Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
12:27

Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Published on: January 3, 2020

6.8K

Isolation of a sperm-agglutinating factor from Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a woman with unexplained

Manju Ohri1, Vijay Prabha

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

Fertility and Sterility
|November 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Researchers isolated a spermatozoal agglutinating factor (SAF) from Staphylococcus aureus, which causes human sperm to clump together. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the bacteria attaching to sperm tails.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Infertility affects a significant portion of the population, with various contributing factors.
  • Bacterial infections can impact male reproductive health and fertility.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium with potential implications for reproductive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize the factor responsible for sperm agglutination produced by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To investigate the mechanism of interaction between Staphylococcus aureus and human spermatozoa.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and purification of spermatozoal agglutinating factor (SAF) from Staphylococcus aureus cultures.
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize the interaction between bacteria and spermatozoa.

Main Results:

  • A spermatozoal agglutinating factor (SAF) was successfully isolated from Staphylococcus aureus.
  • SEM confirmed the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to the tails of human spermatozoa.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus produces a factor that directly causes human sperm agglutination.
  • The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to sperm may play a role in bacterial-induced male infertility.

More Related Videos

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR08:51

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR

Published on: November 4, 2016

10.2K
Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm05:46

Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm

Published on: January 31, 2011

16.9K

Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
569
Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
4.9K
Blood Transfusion and Agglutination02:45

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination

Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
14.7K
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
3.4K
DNA Isolation01:24

DNA Isolation

DNA isolation protocols can be fast and straightforward or complex and time-consuming depending on the type and quality of DNA required for further processing. For example, plasmid DNA extraction is a bit more complicated than genomic DNA extraction because of the need for an appropriate lysis method to separate plasmid DNA from gDNA during isolation. However, for specific applications, such as long-range DNA sequencing that require a good yield of high- quality DNA samples, we need to follow...
45.0K
DNA Isolation01:34

DNA Isolation

DNA from cells is required for many biotechnology and research applications, such as molecular cloning. To remove and purify DNA from cells, researchers use various methods of DNA extraction. While the specifics of different protocols may vary, some general concepts underlie the process of DNA extraction.
199.5K