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Semen Proteomics Reveals the Impact of Enterococcus faecalis on male Fertility

Giuseppe Grande1, Federica Vincenzoni2, Francesca Mancini1

  • 1International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", Catholic University, Rome, Italy.

Protein and Peptide Letters
|April 14, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Enterococcus faecalis infection in men is linked to infertility. Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma identified specific proteins associated with E. faecalis infection, offering potential biomarkers for male reproductive health.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Microbiology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Infectious agents cause 15% of male infertility.
  • Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is frequently found in infertile men's semen, correlating with reduced semen quality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discover novel seminal biomarkers for E. faecalis infection in males.
  • To investigate the impact of E. faecalis on male reproductive pathophysiology using proteomic profiling.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma from ten infertile men with E. faecalis infection and ten fertile controls.
  • Samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Main Results:

  • Eight proteins, including immune-related ones (CD177, Swiprosin-1, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase), were uniquely found in infected patients.
  • Arylsulfatase was present in controls but absent in infected individuals.
  • Three proteins (TIMP-1, WFDC domain protein 2, Carboxypeptidase E) showed significant differences, indicating inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to use MS-based proteomics to identify seminal plasma proteins affected by E. faecalis infection.
  • These findings provide insights into the physiopathology of male infertility due to E. faecalis and suggest potential diagnostic biomarkers.
Keywords:
Enterococcus faecalisMAGImale accessory gland infectionsmale reproductionprostatitisproteomics.

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