[Infections of the ejaculate by sexually transmissible pathogens]

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Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
11:14

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture

Published on: October 12, 2018

M Ludwig1, C Kümmel, T Diemer

  • 1Andrologische Sprechstunde der Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.

Der Urologe. Ausg. A
|May 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Sexually transmitted microorganisms can infect ejaculate, potentially impacting male fertility through various mechanisms. The exact role of certain bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum remains uncertain.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Urology

Background:

  • Sexually transmitted microorganisms (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis) are linked to ejaculate infections.
  • These infections can cause classical genital conditions (urethritis, epididymitis, prostatitis) and subclinical genital tract infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore pathomechanisms of ejaculate infection by microorganisms.
  • To discuss the relevance of these microorganisms for genital tract inflammation and male fertility.
  • To evaluate the utility of biochemical and secretion markers in diagnosing inflammatory origins of infertility.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pathomechanisms including testicular damage, autoimmune processes, direct effects on sperm, transport disturbances, accessory sex gland dysfunction, and leukocytospermia.
  • Discussion of inflammatory localization within the genital tract.
  • Analysis of biochemical markers (PMN elastase, complement C3, coeruloplasmin) and secretion markers (alpha-glucosidase, PSA, phosphatase).

Main Results:

  • Several pathomechanisms for ejaculate infection are proposed, affecting spermatogenesis, sperm function, and transport.
  • The specific contribution of Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum to male infertility is still debated.
  • Biochemical and secretion markers may offer insights but their definitive role in clarifying inflammatory infertility is uncertain.

Conclusions:

  • Microorganisms can infect ejaculate through diverse mechanisms, potentially impacting male reproductive health.
  • The etiological significance of certain common genital microorganisms for male fertility requires further investigation.
  • Current biochemical and secretion markers have limitations in definitively diagnosing inflammatory infertility.

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