Male-related factors contribute to approximately 50% of infertility cases. Despite this, investigations often focus primarily on female reproductive health. Understanding the semen microbiome is crucial for gaining insight into male fertility.
The semen microbiome consists of microorganisms residing in seminal fluid. A healthy balance, often dominated by Lactobacillus species, supports better sperm motility and morphology. An imbalanced microbiome, however, is characterized by increased bacterial diversity and the presence of pathogens, which can negatively impact reproductive health.
Though research is ongoing, existing studies indicate several trends:
Inflammation
Microbial imbalance can trigger inflammation, leading to:
Inflammation is often asymptomatic, making detection challenging without testing.
Increased Infection Risk
An imbalanced semen microbiome is more susceptible to infections, which can impact fertility by:
Microbial imbalances in semen can contribute to reinfections between sexual partners, influencing their reproductive health. In heterosexual couples, this can lead to vaginal microbiome imbalances, potentially affecting fertility further. Additionally, semen microbiome dysbiosis may reduce the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF.
Semen microbiome imbalances are often asymptomatic, making them difficult to detect without testing. Many individuals remain unaware of underlying inflammation or infections that may be affecting fertility.
Ongoing research continues to shed light on the relationship between the semen microbiome and fertility, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy microbial environment for reproductive health.
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