Effects of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity.

The present study was performed to investigate the relation of Chlamydia trachomatis infection to sperm chromatin/DNA integrity in a population of infertile men (male partner of infertile couples) from Iran. Blood, semen and first-void urine samples were obtained from 250 infertile men. Data were analysed with regard to the results of (i) serological analysis for specific antibodies to C. trachomatis in serum; (ii) the presence of C. trachomatis and DNA in first-void urine; and (iii) in the semen sample of the male partner, in addition to sperm analysis, four different tests (aniline blue, chromomycin A3, acridine orange and TUNEL) were used to detect sperm chromatin and DNA abnormalities. The main conclusions of the results were: (i) no evidence of C. trachomatis infection in semen samples was found; (ii) sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin studies were not correlated with C. trachomatis diagnosis; (iii) the percentage of DNA fragmentation is positively correlated with the percentage of immotile sperm but negatively with semen volume, normal morphology; and (iv) in sperm chromatin evaluations, only the percentage of chromatin protamination was related to male age.

Relationship between Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection and pregnancy rate and outcome in Iranian infertile couples.

The study was performed to investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium in a population of infertile couples from Iran and how this relates to tubal factor infertility, pregnancy rate and outcome of pregnancy. Blood, semen and first-void urine samples were obtained from 250 infertile couples and 250 fertile women as a control. Infertile couples were followed up after 24 months to determine diagnosis, referral for assisted conception, any pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. Data were analysed with regard to the results of (i) serological analysis for specific antibodies to C. trachomatis in serum; (ii) the presence of C. trachomatis and M. genitaliumDNA in first-void urine; and (iii) in a semen sample of the male partner. Prevalence of C. trachomatis in our study population was comparable to other studies using similar methods and test specimens. No evidence of M. genitalium infection was found. Detection of C. trachomatis in one partner rarely correlated with infection in the other. The risk of tubal factor infertility and the probability of pregnancy and pregnancy outcome were unrelated to the results of serological tests for C. trachomatis antibodies or the presence of C. trachomatisDNA in first-void urine of both partners and in a semen sample provided by the male.

Semen inflammatory markers and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male partners of infertile couples.

Previous studies have given conflicting results about the effect of generally infection and Chlamydia trachomatis on seminal ILs and semen parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between semen quality and the level of seminal interleukins (ILs) in infertile couples with C. trachomatis. Blood, first void urine (FVU) and semen were obtained from 250 infertile men who had failed to conceive after 12 months of trying. Serological analysis for specific IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis in serum, the presence of C. trachomatis in FVU and semen sample and semen analysis were carried out. The main results are as follows: (i) elevated IL-6 and IL-8 are observed in C. trachomatis-positive men, but this is not significant and it varies by diagnostic method; and (ii) IL-6 and IL-8 levels were correlated with each other and the concentration of leucocytes, but IL-8 was correlated with semen volume and patient's age. This study showed that men with such an infection in FVU samples (PCR positive) had only lower semen volume compared with men without infection.