[Is the sperm bacteriology important for the results of in vitro fertilization?]

A total of 140 ejaculates from patients taking part in the in vitro fertilization program were examined. In 60 ejaculates (42.9%) bacteria concentrations of greater than 10(5)/ml were found. 80 (57.1%) of the probes were negative or had bacteria concentrations less than 10(4)/ml. Microplasma was found in 30 of the examined ejaculates (21.4%) and the second most frequent group of microorganisms were enterococci found in 15 patients (10.7%). Anaerobic organisms in concentrations of more than 10(5)/ml were detected. After insemination of one of more pelviscopically obtained oocytes with sperm of the husband in 14 out of 22 cases (63.6%) with bacteria concentrations greater than 10(5)/ml the cleavage of at least one oocyte occurred leading to an embryo transfer rate of 63.6%. 14 of 31 ejaculates with negative bacteriological findings (45.2%) fertilized at least one of the inseminated oocytes. From the results obtained up to now any direct effect of microorganism contaminated sperm on the human in vitro fertilization system resulting in reduced fertilizations rates cannot be demonstrated. It can be said that there is no correlation between microbiological and cytological findings of ejaculates used for insemination of oocytes and the obtained fertilization, cleavage and embryo transfer rates in the human in vitro fertilization program here. But since the negative effect on implantation rates or embryonic development cannot be excluded detailed bacteriological examinations and probably antibiotic treatments may be recommended before admission of the in vitro fertilization program.