Physiological integrity of human sperm in the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Several species of Mycoplasma have been isolated from the human genital tract, the most common being M. hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. A causal relationship between such infections and sperm dysfunction and infertility has yet to be established. It was the purpose of this study to examine the effects of U. urealyticum infection on the function of sperm as assessed by seminal fluid analysis (SFA), in vitro penetration of bovine cervical mucus (BCMP), and the hamster sperm penetration assay (SPA). No significant differences were noted in the SFA of infected and uninfected samples, either fresh or frozen, fertile or infertile. In addition, no differences were noted in the BCMP or SPA. In sperm from U. urealyticum-infected individuals the basic physiological mechanisms underlying mucus penetration and ovum fertilization seem intact.