Advertisement!
Author Information Pack
Editorial Board
Submit article
Special Issue
Editor's selection process
Join as Reviewer/Editor
List of Reviewer
Indexing Information
Most popular articles
Purchase Single Articles
Archive
Free Online Access
Current Issue
Recommend this journal to your library
Advertiser
Accepted Articles
Search Articles
Email Alerts
FAQ
Contact Us
Journal of Microbiology and Related Research

Volume  2, Issue 1,  January - June 2016, Pages 15-27
 

Original Article

Microbial Flora of Semen and Its Impact on Sperm Parameters

Vijay Prabha*, Leeza*, Praveen Bhandari*, Harpreet Vander*

Depatment of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

Choose an option to locate / access this Article:
90 days Access
Check if you have access through your login credentials.        PDF      |
|

Open Access: View PDF

DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/jmrr.2395.6623.2116.3

Abstract

 Various microorganisms have been found to colonise the male genital tract which may play an important role in altering seminal parameters and thereby reducing male fertilizing potential. A total of 35 semen samples, obtained from PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, India were subjected to routine semen analysis according to WHO guidelines. The volume of all the samples, motility of 88.5% samples, pH of 80% of the samples was optimum. On culturing these samples on Brain Heart Infusion agar plates, it was found that 80% of the isolates so obtained were Gram positive cocci, 18% Gram negatives and 2% were yeast. Out of these isolates, 4% showed complete immobilization whereas 12% led to agglutination of spermatozoa. Scanning electron microscopy showed morphological alterations in sperm head, neck and mid piece etc. when incubated with the sperm immobilizing and sperm agglutinating strains. Further when the enzymatic activity was looked for, the results showed that these organisms were able to produce either protease, phospholipase, lipase or all of these. Hemolysis on sheep blood agar showed that only 2% of the isolates were capable of causing complete hemolysis and 6% showed partial hemolysis. The Gram positive bacteria were maximally sensitive to Oxacillin and Gram negative were sensitive to tobramycin and gentamycin. In conclusion, various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria inhabiting male reproductive tract might produce certain factors which may impair sperm parameters. Eradication of these microbes by use of antibiotics can be a probable cure of microorganism induced infertility.


Corresponding Author : Vijay Prabha*