Semen Microbiome, Male Infertility, and Reproductive Health

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Microbiology
• Genomics

Background:

• The semen microbiome was previously considered sterile but is now known to harbor diverse microorganisms.
• These microbes have potential implications for male fertility and overall reproductive health.
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics have revolutionized the study of this complex ecosystem.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the published literature on the semen microbiome.
• To examine the relationship between the semen microbiome, male infertility, and reproductive outcomes.
• To highlight the role of advanced sequencing techniques in this field.

Main Methods:

• Critical review of existing scientific literature.
• Analysis of studies employing next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.
• Synthesis of findings on microbial composition and its effects.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests a complex association between semen microbiome composition and male fertility.
• Specific bacteria like *Lactobacillus* and *Prevotella* show opposing effects on sperm quality and DNA integrity.
• The semen microbiome influences both natural fertility and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.

Conclusions:

• There is a lack of standardized methodologies and clear interpretation guidelines for semen microbiome research.
• A definitive management proposal for couples with semen microbiome alterations is missing.
• Further research is needed to develop personalized fertility management strategies based on the semen microbiome.