Male infertility and the human microbiome

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Microbiology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Historically, the genitourinary system was considered sterile, but research now shows a diverse microbiota impacting health and disease.
• The human microbiome is increasingly investigated for its role in male infertility and its potential modifiable risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between the human microbiome and male infertility.
• To investigate the impact of gut microbiome changes on sex hormones and spermatogenesis.
• To examine the role of oxidative stress and potential interventions like probiotics in male fertility.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research linking gut microbiome alterations to systemic sex hormones and spermatogenesis.
• Analysis of studies associating specific microbial species with increased oxidative stress.
• Examination of research on the genitourinary microbiome overlap in sexual partners.

Main Results:

• Changes in the gut microbiome are linked to altered sex hormones and spermatogenesis.
• Certain microbes correlate with higher oxidative stress, contributing to abnormal semen parameters in infertile men.
• Evidence suggests antioxidant probiotics may improve male fertility by correcting oxidative imbalances.

Conclusions:

• The male genitourinary microbiome is a significant factor in fertility.
• Oxidative stress, influenced by microbial composition, plays a role in male infertility.
• Further large-scale studies with standardized methods are needed to confirm the therapeutic potential of microbiome modulation for male fertility.