Human Male Genital Tract Microbiota

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Human Health
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• The human body is colonized by microorganisms, with growing recognition of their health impacts.
• The male genital tract (MGT) harbors a diverse microbiota, implicated in male infertility and prostate cancer.
• Research on MGT microbiota is limited due to invasive sampling and low bacterial abundance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to profile MGT bacterial colonization.
• To critically analyze findings and limitations of current MGT microbiota research.
• To identify future research directions for understanding MGT microbiota's role in health and disease.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Focus on studies employing next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.
• Analysis of bacterial colonization patterns across different MGT anatomical sites.

Main Results:

• NGS enables profiling of MGT bacterial communities in various anatomical compartments.
• Previous assumptions of a sterile MGT are challenged by emerging data.
• Semen microbiota analysis is a common proxy, though limitations exist.

Conclusions:

• NGS provides valuable insights into MGT microbial diversity and distribution.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the MGT microbiota's precise role in male infertility and urogenital diseases.
• Standardized sampling and advanced sequencing methods are crucial for future studies.