Abstract

DIAZ-GARCIA, Francisco Javier  and  FLORES-MEDINA, Saúl. Relationship between male infertility and genitourinary mycoplasma infection: An update. Perinatol. Reprod. Hum. [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.1, pp.21-34. ISSN 2524-1710.

It has been suggested for more than 30 years that seminal infections caused by mycoplasmas provoke impairment of the human sperm functionality. However, the studies have shown conflicting results. This review presents recent evidence from in vitro studies that confirm adherence and invasiveness toward human spermatozoa by Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, U. parvum and M. genitalium. We discuss how those infections can cause: a) sperm oxidative stress; b) disruption of energy production mechanisms that lead to impaired sperm motility and viability; c) disturbance of nuclear and cellular organization by effect of bacterial endonucleases, phospholipases and aminopeptidases; d) masking of chemotactic receptors and obstruction of fertilization, and e) compromise of sperm's membrane integrity, with exposure of self-antigens and auto-immune responses

Keywords : Male infertility; mycoplasmas; sperm infection.

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