investigation of infectious causes of infertility by molecular detection of mycoplasma hominis in men's semen

Maryam Tohidpour,1,* Mohammadhassan shahhosseiny,2 Sedigheh mehrabian,3 Abo taleb saremi ,4

1. Department of Microbiology,Islamic Azad University,Tehran North Branch, Tehran/ Iran
2. Department of Microbiology-Shahr- e-Qods Branch-Islamic Azad University-Tehran/Iran -Iranian Gene Fanavar Institute(IGF)
3. Department of Microbiology,Islamic Azad University,Tehran North Branch, Tehran/ Iran
4. MD, Gynecologist, Subspecialty of Infertility, IVF and Laparoscopic surgery, Sarem Fertility and Infertility Researc

Abstract

Introduction

Since infectious agents are among the important causes of infertility, we decided to identify mycoplasma hominis in the semen of infertile men, using the pcr method. in addition, significant growth in infertility has been reported recently in iran which is because of the environmental conditions. therefore, rapid, accurate, and early diagnosis of the infection seems essential for the treatment of patients. mycoplasma hominis is one of the most important mycoplasma species obtained from human genitourinary system. the destructive effects of this bacterium on spermogram parameters are obvious.

Methods

In this study, samples were collected from a total of 100 infertile men who referred to sarem hospital. each sample was divided into two parts: the first part was for semen analysis and the second part was tested by pcr method. dna was extracted by using phenol-chloroform method. the pcr test was done for detection of mycoplasma hominis.

Results

From a total of 100 semen samples, 6 cases (6%) were positive for mycoplasma hominis. the cases with positive results, had a leukocyte level higher than normal (0-1 mil/ml) and their sperm had low motility as determined by their spermogram test.

Conclusion

Due to the dangerous consequences of this infection, screening infertile couples with no clinical symptoms and thereupon starting antimicrobial therapy for the infected ones are necessary for treating infertility. using pcr technique as a molecular diagnostic method for the detection of this bacterium, compared with cultivation methods and serological tests, has been proposed to be faster and more useful, valuable, and reliable.

Keywords

Molecular detection, mycoplasma hominis, semen, infertile men