Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility.

The impact of coronavirus on the reproductive health of men attracts the special attention of many researchers. While studies suggest changes in sperm parameters and the possibility of testicular inflammation, further studies are needed to elucidate any potential age-related changes in these findings, which is the purpose of the present study. The semen quality parameters, cytokine concentration, and markers of the pro- and antioxidant system were assessed in 60 men five to seven months after the coronavirus infection and in 77 controls (without a history of coronavirus infection). Additionally, participants were divided into two age groups: less than 35 years and 35 years or older. Notably increased round cell count in ejaculate and reduced sperm hyaluronan binding ability were observed among post-infection patients younger than 35 years. In the same group, a decline in seminal plasma zinc levels and nitrotyrosine in the cell fraction was found. In men over 35 years of age, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to increased sperm DNA fragmentation, a decrease in the total antioxidant capacity, and an elevation in the levels of interleukin-1ß and interleukin-10. The concentration of interleukin-1ß decreased over time following recovery in all affected patients. The data obtained suggest the potential adverse impact of the coronavirus infection on male reproductive health; however, these effects appear to be age-dependent.

Vaginal Microbiota Molecular Profiling in Women with Bacterial Vaginosis: A Novel Diagnostic Tool.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a most common microbiological syndrome. Multiplex next-generation sequencing (NGS) or molecular tests allow a complete and accurate vaginal microbiota profiling in order to determine the primary causative agent. Due to the high costs and limited availability of NGS, the multiplex real-time PCR draws more attention. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbial composition and dominant lactobacilli species in non-pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis using a multiplex RT-PCR test and determine its diagnostic significance. In total, 331 women complaining of vaginal discharge were included. BV was confirmed upon clinical examination and Nugent criteria. A real-time PCR test was carried out with a new Femoflor test, which identifies opportunistic bacteria, STD pathogens, and some viruses. According to the results, the rate of lactobacilli is significantly reduced in BV-affected patients when compared to healthy women. Moreover, the rate of L. crispatus significantly decreases, while the rate of L. iners remains high. Among obligate anaerobic bacteria, Gardnerella vaginalis was the most prevalent in women with BV. The Femoflor test demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing BV. Moreover, the test allows the identification of infection in women with intermediate vaginal microbiota, as well as STD pathogens, and viruses. Thus, the application of real-time PCR tests can be effectively used in vaginal microbiota evaluation in women with BV, intermediate vaginal microbiota, and healthy women. In addition, this test may be used as an alternative to the Amsel criteria and Nugent scoring method in diagnosing BV.

Local Immune Biomarker Expression Depending on the Uterine Microbiota in Patients with Idiopathic Infertility.

The endometrium has traditionally been considered sterile. Nowadays, active studies are performed on the female upper genital tract microbiota. Bacteria and/or viruses colonizing the endometrium are known to alter its functional properties, including receptivity and embryo implantation. Uterine cavity inflammation caused by microorganisms leads to disrupted cytokine expression, which, in turn, is mandatory for the successful implantation of the embryo. The present study assessed the vaginal and endometrial microbiota composition and its relation to the levels of cytokines produced by the endometrium in reproductive-aged women complaining of secondary infertility of unknown origin. The multiplex real-time PCR assay was applied for vaginal and endometrial microbiota analysis. The quantitative measurement of endometrial α-defensin (DEFa1), transforming growth factor (TGFß1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF2) was carried out using the ELISA (Cloud-Clone Corporation (Katy, TX, USA; manufactured in Wuhan, China). A reliable decline in endometrial TGFß1 and bFGF2 and an increase in DEFa1 were demonstrated in women with idiopathic infertility when compared to fertile patients. However, TGFß1, bFGF2, and DEFa1 expression correlated reliably only with the presence of Peptostreptococcus spp. and HPV in the uterine cavity. The obtained results highlight the importance of local immune biomarker determination in the assessment of certain bacteria and viruses' significance as causative agents of infertility.