Title: T mycoplasmas on spermatozoa and infertility.

POPLINE Document Number: 018206

Author(s):

Gnarpe H
Friberg J

Source citation:

Nature, 1973 Sep 14;245(5420):97-8.

Abstract:

The finding that pregnancy was achieved in 30% of couples after eradication of T mycoplasmas led to an investigation of the role of these organisms in infertility. Sperm samples from 7 infertile men with T mycoplasmas in their ejaculate and from 5 fertile controls without T mycoplasmas were analyzed. 1 portion of the sperm specimen was washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The washed spermatozoa and the supernatants were inoculated onto Shepard's A3 agar and incubated. The percentage of colonies originating from the spermatozoa was estimated. Some of the plates were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-5% sucrose solution, dehydrated in alcohol, gold shadowed, and examined in a scanning electron microscope. The remainder of some specimens was diluted in PBS, fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in acetone, and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Growth was exhibited in 6 of the 7 cultures of men with T mycoplasma infection, but in none of the controls. 85-97% of the randomly selected T mycoplasmas isolated form the seminal fluid of the 5 cases originated from spermatozoa. Data were not available for the 6th case. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the colonies originated from the anterior or middle piece of the spermatozoa. Moreover, some of the spermatozoa from the cases had rounded, bud-like outgrowths on the posterior part of the sperm head or on the middle pieces. These outgrowths were not observed in control specimens. These results suggest that T mycoplasmas are attached to sperm cells. However, it is not known whether the T mycoplasma cells adhere to the sperm cells during the passage of the ejaculate through the urethra or at an earlier point. It is possible that T mycoplasmas produce neuraminidase-like substances that interfere with fertilization or development of the fertilized egg. Investigations of this possibility are in progress.

Keywords:

Clinical Research
Infections
Infertility
Spermatozoa
Men
Research Methodology
Diseases
Reproduction
Germ Cells
Genitalia
Urogenital System
Physiology
Biology
Demographic Factors
Population