Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by several pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa, and can induce male infertility through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms.
Additionally, horizontal transmission of STD pathogens to sexual partners or vertical transmission to fetuses and neonates is possible. Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma spp., human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, HIV-1 and human cytomegalovirus have all been detected in semen from symptomatic and asymptomatic men with testicular, accessory gland and urethral infections. These pathogens are associated with poor sperm quality and decreased sperm concentration and motility. However, the effects of these STD agents on semen quality are unclear, as are the effects of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma spp., Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis, because few studies have evaluated the influence of these pathogens on male infertility. Chronic or inadequately treated infections seem to be more relevant to infertility than acute infections are, although in many cases the exact aetiological agents remain unknown.
Written by:
Gimenes F, Souza RP, Bento JC, Teixeira JJ, Maria-Engler SS, Bonini MG, Consolaro ME. Are you the author?
Laboratory of Clinical Cytology and Semen Analysis, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020900, Brazil; Division of Semen Analysis, São Camilo Clinical Analysis Laboratory, Maringá, PR 87013050, Brazil; Division of Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020900, Brazil; Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508900, Brazil; College of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Reference: Nat Rev Urol. 2014 Oct 21. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2014.285
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25330794