Protective effect of various chemicals on the impairment of sperm motility by Staphylococcus aureus

In female genital tract spermatozoa remain active for several days, however, their activity is of much shorter duration if they remain in the seminal fluid outside the body. Majority of spermatozoa cease to move within first 24 hrs. This may be due to presence of bacteria or excretion of bacterial toxic products; To check whether the addition of certain chemicals can enhance the motility of spermatozoa in presence of bacteria, in vitro studies were conducted. 72h old culture supernatant of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from infertile male causing 100% immobilization of spermatozoa was incubated with semen samples in presence of various chemicals. The results showed that sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sodium citrate, folic acid, nicotinic acid, H2O2 and glutathione had protective effect on the impairment of motility. This study implicates that even if bacteria causing 100% immobilization of spermatozoa are present, supplementation of certain chemicals is beneficial.