The Seminal Microbiome and Male Factor Infertility
- PDF / 213,802 Bytes
- 6 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 45 Downloads / 206 Views
MALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND DISORDER (N THIRUMAVALAVAN, SECTION EDITOR)
The Seminal Microbiome and Male Factor Infertility Vadim Osadchiy 1,2 & Jesse N. Mills 1 & Emeran A. Mayer 2 & Sriram V. Eleswarapu 1
# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review Focusing on studies published within the last decade, we review the literature on the seminal microbiome and male factor infertility. We highlight potential mechanisms by which microbes may impact fertility and underscore key limitations and clinical implications of these studies. Recent Findings The seminal microbiome encompasses a metabolically and phylogenetically diverse group of microorganisms. Lactobacillus was consistently associated with normal semen analysis parameters and fertility; Anaerococcus was negatively associated with semen quality. These microbes may participate in a complex cross-talk with the host immune system, thereby modulating local and perhaps systemic inflammatory responses, impacting semen quality. Summary Research investigating the intersection between the seminal microbiome and male fertility is still in its infancy. Recent investigations have been exclusively cross-sectional, correlational studies, limiting the clinical applicability of published research. Prospective studies with more sophisticated methodologies are necessary. Keywords Semen microbiome . Male infertility . Next-generation sequencing . Anaerococcus
Introduction The human body is home to a complex and diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, the result of an extensive coevolution between humans and the microbial communities that live alongside us. Recent studies on the relationship between the microbiome and human health have revealed fascinating insights into the microbiome’s potential role in the pathogenesis of obesity [1], prostate cancer [2], female infertility [3], and even the success of assisted reproductive technology [3], although investigations exploring the seminal microbiome within the context of male factor infertility have been limited. Early studies on the seminal microbiome were driven primarily by microscopy, culture-dependent methods, and This article is part of the Topical Collection on Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorder * Sriram V. Eleswarapu [email protected] 1
2
targeted amplification of microbial DNA of known species. For this reason, the impact of known pathogenic, sexually transmitted microorganisms on the male reproductive tract and semen parameters have been well described [4]. Nextgeneration sequencing (NGS), which allows for discovery of novel microbes without prior knowledge of sequencing information, has certainly expanded our armamentarium; however, we still do not fully understand the role of the overwhelming majority of non-pathologic microorganisms that reside in the male reproductive tract. Given that the etiology of abnormal semen parameters is not identified in up to 45% of cases, a comprehensive exploration of the seminal microbiome may provide further clarity to our un
Data Loading...
