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Influence of urogenital infections and inflammation on semen quality and male fertility

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Abstract

Background

Urogenital infections and inflammation are a significant etiologic factor in male infertility.

Methods

Data for this review were acquired by a systematic search of the medical literature. Relevant cross-references were also taken into account.

Results

We address infectious and inflammatory diseases of different compartments of the male genital tract and discuss their andrological sequelae. Chronic urethritis might be responsible for silent genital tract inflammation with negative impact on semen quality. In chronic pelvic pain syndrome, morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma alterations are detectable. In the majority of men with epididymitis, a transient impairment of semen quality can be found during the acute infection. However, persistent detrimental effects are not uncommon, even after complete bacteriological cure. The relevance of chronic viral infections as an etiologic factor in male infertility is believed to be underestimated. Data concerning the impact of HIV infection on male fertility are of increasing interest as with the improvement in life expectancy, issues of sexuality and procreation gain importance. Moreover, effects of noninfectious systemic inflammation on the male reproductive tract have to be considered in patients with metabolic syndrome, a disorder of growing relevance worldwide. Finally, microbiological and related diagnostic findings in urine and semen samples are reviewed according to their relevance for male infertility.

Conclusions

Available data provide sufficient evidence that in men with alterations of the ejaculate, urogenital infections and inflammation have to be considered.

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Acknowledgments

This review was supported by the LOEWE focus group MIBIE (Male Infertility during Infection & Inflammation, projects B1, B2 and B4)—an excellence initiative of the German state government of Hessen. A. Rusz is a research fellow in LOEWE MIBIE, project B4.

Conflict of interest

The present authors have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH—Giessen, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7, 35385, Giessen, Germany

    A. Rusz, A. Pilatz, F. Wagenlehner, Th. Diemer, H. C. Schuppe & W. Weidner

  2. Department of Urology and Andrology, State Health Center-Military Hospital, Budapest, Hungary

    A. Rusz

  3. Clinical Research Unit, 3rd Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    T. Linn

  4. Department of Internal Medicine II, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    J. Lohmeyer

  5. Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    H. Hossain

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  1. A. Rusz
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  2. A. Pilatz
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  3. F. Wagenlehner
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  4. T. Linn
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  5. Th. Diemer
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  6. H. C. Schuppe
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  7. J. Lohmeyer
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  8. H. Hossain
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  9. W. Weidner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Weidner.

Additional information

A. Rusz and A. Pilatz contributed equally.

This manuscript was in parts published originally in: Naber KG, Schaeffer AJ, Heyns CF, Matsumoto T, Shoskes DA, Bjerklund Johansen TE (eds): Urogenital Infections. European Association of Urology—International Consultation on Urological Diseases, 1st edition 2010, Arnhem, The Netherlands, ISBN: 978-90-79754-41-0.

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Rusz, A., Pilatz, A., Wagenlehner, F. et al. Influence of urogenital infections and inflammation on semen quality and male fertility. World J Urol 30, 23–30 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-0726-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-0726-8

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