J Korean Androl Soc.  1988 Nov;6(1):3-12.

The Role of Sperm Infection in Infertility by OATS

• Kim SJ

Abstract

It seems that pyospermia and/or genital infection may be a potent cause of male infertility. There is a hypothesis that infection may alter semen quality in a number of different ways as follow; 1. Infective process may damage the ductal system of seminal tract resulting in a partial or a totally obstructive lesion. 2. Infection may also change the pattern of secretion from one of the accssory glands of the male seminal tract. 3. Infective organism may produce hazardous materials to semen such as toxins or immobilization factors. 4. Infective organisms may attach and even lyse the spermatozoa. 5. Leukocyte may phagocytose the spermatozoa. 6. Testicular inflammation may alter spermatogenesis. 7. Infection may induce untoward immunologic aspect. From 1986 to 1987, we had investigated the relation between prostatic infection and OAT sperm and the result was not remarkable (p=0.057). But serious decrease of Zn concentration in prostatic juice was noted in chronic prostatitis. To know the sensitivities of Korean genital strains of Chlamydia trachomatis to the prevailing treatment antimicrobials in genital infection, we had studied the minimal inhibiting concentrations (MICs) of above agents. The MICs were significantly increased than those against standard strains from American Type Culture Collection. Otherwise, no difference of MICs were identified in case of rifampicin.

MeSH Terms

Avena*
Chlamydia trachomatis
Hazardous Substances
Humans
Immobilization
Infertility*
Infertility, Male
Inflammation
Leukocytes
Male
Prostatitis
Rifampin
Semen
Semen Analysis
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoa*
Hazardous Substances
Rifampin