Association between the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and male infertility

Abstract

While male infertility has been associated with Mycoplasma infections, few studies have investigated the association between Mycoplasma infection and male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed at addressing this issue. Semen samples were collected from 136 patients (68 infertile men and 68 fertile men) in the Central Laboratory of Yazd, Iran. Of semen samples collected from 68 infertile and 68 fertile men, 13 (19.12%) and 2 (2.94%) cases were positive for Mycoplasma spp. using PCR, respectively. Among Mycoplasma-infected infertile men, 10 and 6 men showed abnormal sperm morphology and motility, respectively. None of the positive samples for Mycoplasma spp. was positive for M. hominis and one of the positive samples for Mycoplasma spp. belonged to Mycoplasma hyorhinis (strain NBRC 14858). The presence of Mycoplasma spp. was significantly higher in infertile men (p = .003). Mycoplasma infection was relatively high in infertile men. The surprising issue was the absence of M. hominis and the presence of M. hyorhinis strain NBRC 14858 in the semen of infertile men. Therefore, investigating reproductive tract infections caused by other Mycoplasma spp. should be taken into consideration in male infertility.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Mycoplasma hyorhinis has been mostly reported as a cause of animal respiratory tract infections and the development of various cancers. Information on the association of M. hyorhinis with male infertility is not yet available.

• What do the results of this study add? This study shows that the presence of M. hyorhinis in the semen of infertile men may be associated with infertility. This study shows that the investigation of unpredictable species of genus Mycoplasma such as M. hyorhinis in the semen of infertile men is essential.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of the present study indicate that in addition to M. genitalium and M. hominis, studies on the role of M. hyorhinis in reproductive tract infections and infertility should be expanded.

Keywords:

• Male infertility; Mycoplasma
• Mycoplasma hominis
• Mycoplasma hyorhinis
• PCR

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank those who contributed to this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).