Influence of sperm microbiota

The role of sperm microbiota in male infertility. The researchers found that men with abnormal sperm had significantly higher numbers of certain bacteria in their semen. Details from Martin Ducret.

Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist Doctor’s Diary, Today tells us about the microbiota in semen. You’ve surely heard of the microbiota, the bacteria and other microorganisms with which we live in symbiosis to keep us healthy. The most well-known is our gut. Did you know that semen also contains microbiota?

franceinfo: dAfter a recent study, does this microbiota play a role in male infertility?

Martin Ducret: Yes totally. In this study published in the journal Scientific reports73 men benefited from an analysis of the composition of their sperm microbiota, combined with a spermogram, a reference examination to detect sperm abnormalities, examining their number, their vitality, their morphology and their motility.

After analyzing the microbiota and spermograms, study researchers found that men with abnormal spermograms had higher numbers of certain bacteria in their sperm.

For example, bacteria Lactobacillus inerswere more present in men with sperm with low motility—that is, those that move and move less. In people with abnormal concentrations of sperm, it was two bacteria, the type Pseudomonaswhich were present in abundance.

Does this mean that these extra bacteria can cause male infertility?

“Yes it is possible, As Professor Michael Grinberg, Head of the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Antoine-Béclair Hospital in Clamart and Jean-Verdier in Bondi, explained to me, But we should take the results of this study with a grain of salt, further work is needed with larger populations and especially with repeated sperm samples.”

“although, For Professor GrinbergThis study has the merit of focusing on the influence of the sperm microbiota on infertility, an area so far underexplored and full of hope.”

Because you should know that the origin of male infertility is not always clearly identified, and few treatments exist to overcome it. The sperm microbiota trail could pave the way for drugs that improve fertility when it is impaired.

For example probiotics?

Yes, probiotics, which are bacteria or yeast to swallow, in powder or capsule form. Professor Grinberg is considering administering probiotics directly into the genital tract, in contact with semen.

But before we one day see these remedies in our pharmacies, it’s important to point out that adopting the healthiest lifestyle possible – eating well, limiting stress, practicing regular physical activity, quitting smoking – is the first course of action to maintain or recover well. Fertility.