Bacterial Isolates and Semen Analysis of Male Partners of Infertile Couples.

BACKGROUND: Seminal tract infections alter the semen quality and affect the sperm parameters of men with varying degree of effect to male fertility. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the presence of infectious agents other than sexually transmitted infections in semen and their relation to semen parameters. METHODS: Five hundred and eighty-seven semen samples of males investigated for infertility were analyzed, inoculated on sterile culture media, and incubated for 24hrs at 37 o C. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests and their antimicrobial susceptibility determined. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of the samples had normal sperm concentration, 41.1% had oligospermia, and 4.9% had azoospermia. About 64.7% had normal viscous consistency, 23.0% were high viscous, and 12.3% low viscous. Also, 19.4% had highly motile permatozoa, 51.5% moderately, 27.6% poorly and 1.6% entirely non-motile spermatozoa. About 55.9% of the samples were infected with different nonspecific pathogens. CONCLUSSION: 55.9% of the semen samples were infected and this significantly affected the semen parameters. It is necessary to investigate male partners of infertile couples for infections and appropriate treatment initiated.