Espermocultivo: crecimiento bacteriano del eyaculado y su relación con los parámetros seminales / Spermoculture: bacterial growth of the ejaculate and its relationship with the seminal parameters

ANTECEDENTES: En el semen, algunos microorganismos pueden encontrar las condiciones óptimas para sobrevivir, ocasionando daños a los espermatozoides y desencadenando procesos de infertilidad o infecciones del tracto reproductivo. Entender el papel de los microorganismos aislados en el semen, contribuye a mejorar el diagnóstico de casos de infertilidad donde la única causa aparente son los procesos infecciosos. OBJETIVO: Describir y correlacionar los parámetros seminales y el crecimiento bacteriano del eyaculado. MÉTODOS: Identificación de los microorganismos aislados en 43 espermocultivos-clínicos y 28 espermocultivos-investigación. Se realizó conteo de las unidades formadoras de colonia a los espermocultivos-investigación y análisis de las características espermáticas. Resultados: Se obtuvo crecimiento bacteriano en 14 (32,6%) de los espermocultivos-clínicos y 15 (53,6%) de los espermocultivos-investigación. Los microorganismos aislados fueron Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus spp coagulasa negativo, Klebsiella pneumoniae y microbiota mixta. En este estudio se observó abundante crecimiento de cocos aerobios. Finalmente, no se encontró asociación entre la disminución en la calidad de los parámetros seminales y los microorganismos. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de bacterias en el semen no afecta la calidad seminal.

BACKKGROUND: Microorganisms can find the optimal conditions for survival in semen, causing damage to the spermatozoa and triggering processes of infertility or reproductive tract infections. Therefore, understanding the role of the microorganisms present in semen can help to improve the diagnosis of infertility cases where the only apparent cause is infectious processes. OBJECTIVE: To describe and correlate semen parameters and bacterial growth in ejaculate. METHODS: Identification of microorganisms isolated in 43 clinical spermocultures and 28 research spermocultures. We assessed colony-forming unit counts and sperm characteristics of research spermocultures. In addition, semen parameters were evaluated in each ejaculate. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was obtained in 14 (32.6%) of the 43 clinical spermocultures and 15 (53.6%) of the 28 research spermocultures. The isolated microorganisms were Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus coagulase negative, Klebsiella pneumoniae and mixed microbiota. Finally, in this study a large growth of aerobic cocci was observed. We did not find association between the decline in the quality of semen parameters and microorganisms. CONCLUSION: The presence of bacteria in semen does not affect semen quality.

Efficacy of yogurt drink with added plant stanol esters (Benecol®, Colanta) in reducing total and LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial NCT01461798.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death from chronic diseases in the world. Main risk factors include hypercholesterolemia, which is caused in most cases by a high saturated fat diet. Plant stanol esters partly block cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract and thereby reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol serum levels. Based on epidemiological data, a 10 percent reduction of LDL cholesterol leads to a 20 percent decrease in the coronary heart disease risk throughout life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of yogurt drink with added plant stanol esters (Benecol® yogurt drink) in higher doses than the typically used (2g/d stanols), in lowering blood lipids in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. METHODS: A randomized double-blind crossover, placebo-controlled study in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects (n = 40) aged between 20 and 50 years old. RESULTS: Yogurt drink with added plant stanols (4 g) as esters (Benecol®, Colanta) consumption compared to regular yogurt drink caused a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 7.2% and 10.3%. During the two periods and compared to controls, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Yogurt drink with an active ingredient in Benecol®, plant stanol esters, reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01461798.