CONCLUSION(S): The DNA of STI pathogens was detected in semen from a
high percentage of asymptomatic male infertility patients, and was
associated with poor semen quality. Efforts to diagnose and treat
subclinical genital-tract infections should be intensified.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pathogens that cause sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) in semen from asymptomatic male
infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia (LCS), and
associations between STIs, inflammatory markers, and other semen
variables. DESIGN: Retrospective, controlled study. SETTING: Academic
Medical Center. PATIENT(S): Two hundred and forty-one male infertility
patients undergoing routine semen analysis: 132 with LCS, and 109
without LCS. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The DNA
from STI pathogens (human papillomavirus [HPV], cytomegalovirus [CMV],
herpes simplex virus [HSV], human herpesvirus type 6 [HHV-6],
Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], hepatitis B virus [HBV], and Chlamydia
trachomatis [CT]), routine semen parameters, and markers of accessory
gland and epididymal function and inflammation. RESULT(S): The DNA from
STI pathogens was detected in 45/241 (18.7%) of the samples (CMV, 8.7%;
HPV, 4.5%; HHV-6, 3.7%; HSV, 3.7%; CT, 2.5%; EBV, 0.4%; and HBV, 0%),
with no difference in prevalence between the LCS and non-LCS groups.
The DNA of STI pathogens in semen was associated with a decrease in
sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count, and
neutral alpha-glucosidase concentration, whereas LCS was associated
with a decrease in total sperm count, percent normal forms, and
fructose concentration.

PMID: 17433312 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]