AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SEMINAL AND PERIODONTAL BACTERIA DIVERSITY AMONG SUBFERTILE MALES IN LAGOS

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed at examining bacteria diversity in the semen and mouth of
infertile men.
Method: This was a case-control study of male (n=43) participants including infertile men (n=30)
as test and fertile men (n=13) as control within 30-50 years of age. Semen, mouth swab and blood
samples were collected and processed by standard practice. Semen and mouth swab samples were
screened to determine microbial presence. The semen qualitative and quantitative characteristics
were determined using standard methods. Blood serum samples were evaluated to determine
hormonal and lipid profiles as well as liver and kidney function biomarkers using standard kits.
Results: The frequency of bacterial occurrence or growth from the semen and mouth swab of
infertile men was higher in comparison to the fertile group. Notably, the frequency of
Staphylococcus aureus (36.7%) isolated from infertile men semen was higher as compared to fertile
men with Staphylococcus aureus (15.4%). Moraxella catarrhalis (30%), Staphylococcus aureus
(36.7%) and Escherichia coli (10.0%) were the major bacteria frequently isolated from infertile
men mouth swab in comparison to the fertile group with Moraxella catarrhalis (46.1%) and
Staphylococcus aureus (23.3%). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the semen volume,
concentration and motility of the test group compared to the control group, with a corresponding
significant increase (p<0.05) in the abnormal semen morphology of the test group compared to the
control. Significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of FSH and LH with decreased level of testosterone in
the infertile men as compared to the control was also observed.
Conclusion: These results suggest increased bacteria diversity in relation to infertility. However, a
relationship between bacterial isolates in the semen and mouth might exist.