1
|
Jin J, Yim HCH, Chang HME, Wang Y, Choy KHK, Chan SY, Alqawasmeh OAM, Liao J, Jiang XT, Chan DYL, Fok EKL. DEFB119 stratifies dysbiosis with distorted networks in the seminal microbiome associated with male infertility. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae419. [PMID: 39359400 PMCID: PMC11443970 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is associated with the alteration of the seminal microbiome. However, the onset of dysbiosis remains controversial and the involvement of host factors remains elusive. This study investigates the alterations of the seminal microbiome in male infertility and examines the association and function of DEFB119, a reproductive-tract-specific host antimicrobial peptide, on the seminal microbiome and male fertility. While we observed comparable genera, diversity and evenness of bacterial communities, a marked decrease in the modularity of the metacommunities was observed in patients with abnormal spermiogram (n = 57) as compared to the control (n = 30). A marked elevation of DEFB119 was observed in a subpopulation of male infertile patients (n = 5). Elevated seminal DEFB119 was associated with a decrease in the observed genera, diversity and evenness of bacterial communities, and further distortion of the metacommunities. Mediation analysis suggests the involvement of elevated DEFB119 and dysbiosis of the seminal microbiome in mediating the abnormalities in the spermiogram. Functional experiments showed that recombinant DEFB119 significantly decrease the progressive motility of sperm in patients with abnormal spermiogram. Moreover, DEFB119 demonstrated species-specific antimicrobial activity against common seminal and nonseminal species. Our work identifies an important host factor that mediates the host-microbiome interaction and stratifies the seminal microbiome associated with male infertility. These results may lead to a new diagnostic method for male infertility and regimens for formulating the microbiome in the reproductive tract and other organ systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Howard Chi Ho Yim
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2217, Australia
| | - Hsiao Mei Ellie Chang
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yiwei Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kathleen Hoi Kei Choy
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sze Yan Chan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Odai A M Alqawasmeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Xiao-Tao Jiang
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2217, Australia
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ellis Kin Lam Fok
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, PR China
- Sichuan University-The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Chengdu, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cojkic A, Niazi A, Morrell JM. Metagenomic identification of bull semen microbiota in different seasons. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 268:107569. [PMID: 39098060 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
A seasonal effect on sperm quality parameters was observed previously. Although identification of the bull semen microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing was performed previously, it has not been carried out in commercial semen samples from different seasons, and its connection with sperm quality parameters has not been evaluated yet. The objectives in this study were; (i) to evaluate diversity of bull semen microbiota and sperm quality parameters in different seasons, and (ii) to find if specific bacteria were associated with seasonal differences in specific sperm quality parameters. Bull semen microbiota was identified in 54 commercial bull semen samples from 3 seasons (winter, spring, summer). Sperm quality was analysed by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyses (CASA) and Flow Cytometry (FC). From 28 phyla in all samples, six phyla were identified in samples from all seasons, with observed seasonal differences in their distribution. At genus level, 388 genera were identified, of which 22 genera had a relative abundance over 1 % and showed seasonal differences in bacterial diversity, and 9 bacteria genera were present in all seasons. Differences between spring and summer (P < 0.05) were observed for live hydrogen peroxide positive sperm cells. A trend towards significance (0.10 > P > 0.05) was observed for some CASA kinematics (VCL and LIN) and FC parameters (High respiratory activity, and live hydrogen peroxide positive sperm cells) between seasons. Nevertheless, associations between sperm quality parameters and specific bacteria were observed in spring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Cojkic
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Clinical Sciences, Uppsala 75007, Sweden.
| | - Adnan Niazi
- SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 75007, Sweden.
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Clinical Sciences, Uppsala 75007, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kilama J, Dahlen CR, Reynolds LP, Amat S. Contribution of the seminal microbiome to paternal programming. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:242-268. [PMID: 38696371 PMCID: PMC11327320 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease has primarily focused on maternal programming of offspring health. However, emerging evidence suggests that paternal factors, including the seminal microbiome, could potentially play important roles in shaping the developmental trajectory and long-term offspring health outcomes. Historically, the microbes present in the semen were regarded as inherently pathogenic agents. However, this dogma has recently been challenged by the discovery of a diverse commensal microbial community within the semen of healthy males. In addition, recent studies suggest that the transmission of semen-associated microbes into the female reproductive tract during mating has potentials to not only influence female fertility and embryo development but could also contribute to paternal programming in the offspring. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the seminal microbiota in both humans and animals followed by discussing their potential involvement in paternal programming of offspring health. We also propose and discuss potential mechanisms through which paternal influences are transmitted to offspring via the seminal microbiome. Overall, this review provides insights into the seminal microbiome-based paternal programing, which will expand our understanding of the potential paternal programming mechanisms which are currently focused primarily on the epigenetic modifications, oxidative stresses, and cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justine Kilama
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7520, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7520, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng Y, Ye L, Du J, Huang L, Lun M, He M, Xiao G, Du W, Liu C, Chen L. Changes in the microbial community of semen exposed to different simulated forensic situations. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0012524. [PMID: 38980015 PMCID: PMC11302308 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00125-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Semen is one of the common body fluids in sexual crime cases. The current methods of semen identification have certain limitations, so it is necessary to search for other methods. In addition, there are few reports of microbiome changes in body fluids under simulated crime scenes. It is essential to further reveal the changes in semen microbiomes after exposure to various simulated crime scenes. Semen samples from eight volunteers were exposed in closed plastic bags, soil, indoor, cotton, polyester, and wool fabrics. A total of 68 samples (before and after exposure) were collected, detected by 16S rDNA sequencing, and analyzed for the microbiome signature. Finally, a random forest model was constructed for body fluid identification. After exposure, the relative abundance of Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus changed dramatically in almost all groups. In addition, the treatment with the closed plastic bags or soil groups had a greater impact on the semen microbiome. According to the Shannon indices, the alpha diversity of the closed plastic bags and soil groups was much lower than that of the other groups. Attention should be given to the above two scenes in practical work of forensic medicine. In this study, the accuracy of semen recognition was 100%. The exposed semen can still be correctly identified as semen based on its microbiota characteristics. In summary, semen microbiomes exposed to simulated crime scenes still have good application potential for body fluid identification. IMPORTANCE In this study, the microbiome changes of semen exposed to different environments were observed, and the exposed semen microbiome still has a good application potential in body fluid identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Zheng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Homy Genetics Incorporation, Foshan, China
| | - Linying Ye
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieyu Du
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Litao Huang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Miaoqiang Lun
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Meiyun He
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guichao Xiao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weian Du
- Guangdong Homy Genetics Incorporation, Foshan, China
| | - Chao Liu
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
He J, Ma M, Xu Z, Guo J, Chen H, Yang X, Chen P, Liu G. Association between semen microbiome disorder and sperm DNA damage. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0075924. [PMID: 38899893 PMCID: PMC11302304 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00759-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA fragmentation index (DFI), a new biomarker to diagnose male infertility, is closely associated with poor reproductive outcomes. Previous research reported that seminal microbiome correlated with sperm DNA integrity, suggesting that the microbiome may be one of the causes of DNA damage in sperm. However, it has not been elucidated how the microbiota exerts their effects. Here, we used a combination of 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics techniques to investigate the role of microbiota in high sperm DNA fragmentation index (HDFI). We report that increased specific microbial profiles contribute to high sperm DNA fragmentation, thus implicating the seminal microbiome as a new therapeutic target for HDFI patients. Additionally, we found that the amount of Lactobacillus species was altered: Lactobacillus iners was enriched in HDFI patients, shedding light on the potential influence of L. iners on male reproductive health. Finally, we also identified enrichment of the acetyl-CoA fermentation to butanoate II and purine nucleobase degradation I in the high sperm DNA fragmentation samples, suggesting that butanoate may be the target metabolite of sperm DNA damage. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between microbiota and sperm quality in HDFI patients, laying the foundation for further research and potential clinical interventions.IMPORTANCEThe DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is a measure of sperm DNA fragmentation. Because high sperm DNA fragmentation index (HDFI) has been strongly associated with adverse reproductive outcomes, this has been linked to the seminal microbiome. Because the number of current treatments for HDFI is limited and most of them have no clear efficacy, it is critical to understand how semen microbiome exerts their effects on sperm DNA. Here, we evaluated the semen microbiome and its metabolites in patients with high and low sperm DNA fragmentation. We found that increased specific microbial profiles contribute to high sperm DNA fragmentation. In particular, Lactobacillus iners was uniquely correlated with high sperm DNA fragmentation. Additionally, butanoate may be the target metabolite produced by the microbiome to damage sperm DNA. Our findings support the interaction between semen microbiome and sperm DNA damage and suggest that seminal microbiome should be a new therapeutic target for HDFI patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junxian He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Menghui Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenhan Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jintao Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haicheng Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peigen Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guihua Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jiang X, Zhang B, Gou Q, Cai R, Sun C, Li J, Yang N, Wen C. Variations in seminal microbiota and their functional implications in chickens adapted to high-altitude environments. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103932. [PMID: 38972291 PMCID: PMC11263954 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Seminal fluid, once believed to be sterile, is now recognized as constituting a complex and dynamic environment inhabited by a diverse community of micro-organisms. However, research on the seminal microbiota in chickens is limited, and microbiota variations among different chicken breeds remain largely unexplored. In this study, we collected semen samples from Beijing You Chicken (BYC) and Tibetan Chicken (TC) and explored the characteristics of the microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Additionally, we collected cloacal samples from the TC to control for environmental contamination. The results revealed that the microbial communities in the semen were significantly different from those in the cloaca. Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were the predominant phyla in BYC and TC semen, respectively, with Lactobacillus and Phyllobacterium being the dominant genera in each group. Additionally, the seminal microbiota of BYC exhibited greater richness and evenness than that of TC. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated significant intergroup differences between the seminal microbiotas of BYC and TC. Subsequently, by combining linear discriminant analysis effect size and random forest analyses, we identified Lactobacillus as the predominant microorganism in BYC semen, whereas Phyllobacterium dominated in TC semen. Furthermore, co-occurrence network analysis revealed a more intricate network in the BYC group than in the TC group. Additionally, unique microbial functional characteristics were observed in each breed, with TC exhibiting metabolic features potentially associated with their ability to adapt to high-altitude environments. The results of this study emphasized the unique microbiota present in chicken semen, which may be influenced by genetics and evolutionary history. Significant variations were observed between low-altitude and high-altitude breeds, highlighting the breed-specific implications of the seminal microbiota for reproduction and high-altitude adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Boxuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Qinli Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ronglang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Junying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Ning Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Chaoliang Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan, 572025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu JL, Chen LJ, Liu Y, Li JH, Zhang KK, Hsu C, Li XW, Yang JZ, Chen L, Zeng JH, Xie XL, Wang Q. The gut microbiota contributes to methamphetamine-induced reproductive toxicity in male mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116457. [PMID: 38754198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant drug belonging to the amphetamine-type stimulant class, known to exert male reproductive toxicity. Recent studies suggest that METH can disrupt the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the gut-testis axis concept has gained attention due to the potential link between gut microbiome dysfunction and reproductive health. Nonetheless, the role of the gut microbiota in mediating the impact of METH on male reproductive toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we employed a mouse model exposed to escalating doses of METH to assess sperm quality, testicular pathology, and reproductive hormone levels. The fecal microbiota transplantation method was employed to investigate the effect of gut microbiota on male reproductive toxicity. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and microbiological analyses were conducted to explore the damage mechanism to the male reproductive system caused by METH. We found that METH exposure led to hormonal disorders, decreased sperm quality, and changes in the gut microbiota and testicular metabolome in mice. Testicular RNA sequencing revealed enrichment of several Gene Ontology terms associated with reproductive processes, as well as PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. FMT conveyed similar reproductive damage from METH-treated mice to healthy recipient mice. The aforementioned findings suggest that the gut microbiota plays a substantial role in facilitating the reproductive toxicity caused by METH, thereby highlighting a prospective avenue for therapeutic intervention in the context of METH-induced infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Li Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li-Jian Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Hao Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kai-Kai Zhang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Clare Hsu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiu-Wen Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jian-Zheng Yang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Long Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Hao Zeng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Li Xie
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Han B, Wang Y, Ge W, Wang J, Yu S, Yan J, Hua L, Zhang X, Yan Z, Wang L, Zhao J, Huang C, Yang B, Wang Y, Ma Q, Zhao Y, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Liang S, Zhao J, Sun Z, Shen W, Gui Y. Changes in seminal plasma microecological dynamics and the mechanistic impact of core metabolite hexadecanamide in asthenozoospermia patients. IMETA 2024; 3:e166. [PMID: 38882497 PMCID: PMC11170967 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a prevalent contributor to male infertility, characterized by a substantial decline in sperm motility. In recent years, large-scale studies have explored the interplay between the male reproductive system's microecology and its implications for reproductive health. Nevertheless, the direct association between seminal microecology and male infertility pathogenesis remains inconclusive. This study used 16S rDNA sequencing and multi-omics analysis to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seminal microbial community and metabolites in AZS patients. Patients were categorized into four distinct groups: Normal, mild AZS (AZS-I), moderate AZS (AZS-II), and severe AZS (AZS-III). Microbiome differential abundance analysis revealed significant differences in microbial composition and metabolite profiles within the seminal plasma of these groups. Subsequently, patients were classified into a control group (Normal and AZS-I) and an AZS group (AZS-II and AZS-III). Correlation and cross-reference analyses identified distinct microbial genera and metabolites. Notably, the AZS group exhibited a reduced abundance of bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in seminal plasma, positively correlating with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). Conversely, the AZS group displayed an increased abundance of bacterial genera such as Uruburuella, Vibrio, and Pseudoalteromonas, with a negative correlation with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). In vitro and in vivo experiments validated that hexadecanamide significantly enhanced sperm motility. Using predictive metabolite-targeting gene analysis and single-cell transcriptome sequencing, we profiled the gene expression of candidate target genes PAOX and CA2. Protein immunoblotting techniques validated the upregulation protein levels of PAOX and CA2 in sperm samples after hexadecanamide treatment, enhancing sperm motility. In conclusion, this study uncovered a significant correlation between six microbial genera in seminal plasma and the content of the metabolite hexadecanamide, which is related to AZS. Hexadecanamide notably enhances sperm motility, suggesting its potential integration into clinical strategies for managing AZS, providing a foundational framework for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baoquan Han
- Department of Urology Shenzhen University General Hospital Shenzhen China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Yongyong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Qingdao Hospital University of Healthy and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital) Qingdao China
| | - Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Junjie Wang
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Shuai Yu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Jiamao Yan
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Lei Hua
- Department of Urology Shenzhen University General Hospital Shenzhen China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Zihui Yan
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Jinxin Zhao
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Cong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Bo Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Urology Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen China
| | - Qian Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| | - Yunqi Zhang
- STI-Zhilian Research Institute for Innovation and Digital Health Beijing China
| | - Shaolin Liang
- STI-Zhilian Research Institute for Innovation and Digital Health Beijing China
- Institute for Six-sector Economy Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Jianjuan Zhao
- STI-Zhilian Research Institute for Innovation and Digital Health Beijing China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Department of Urology Shenzhen University General Hospital Shenzhen China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen-Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center Shenzhen China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jendraszak M, Skibińska I, Kotwicka M, Andrusiewicz M. The elusive male microbiome: revealing the link between the genital microbiota and fertility. Critical review and future perspectives. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2024:1-29. [PMID: 38523477 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2024.2331489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing focus on understanding the role of the male microbiome in fertility issues. Although research on the bacterial communities within the male reproductive system is in its initial phases, recent discoveries highlight notable variations in the microbiome's composition and abundance across distinct anatomical regions like the skin, foreskin, urethra, and coronary sulcus. To assess the relationship between male genitourinary microbiome and reproduction, we queried various databases, including MEDLINE (available via PubMed), SCOPUS, and Web of Science to obtain evidence-based data. The literature search was conducted using the following terms "gut/intestines microbiome," "genitourinary system microbiome," "microbiome and female/male infertility," "external genital tract microbiome," "internal genital tract microbiome," and "semen microbiome." Fifty-one relevant papers were analyzed, and eleven were strictly semen quality or male fertility related. The male microbiome, especially in the accessory glands like the prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands, has garnered significant interest because of its potential link to male fertility and reproduction. Studies have also found differences in bacterial diversity present in the testicular tissue of normozoospermic men compared to azoospermic suggesting a possible role of bacterial dysbiosis and reproduction. Correlation between the bacterial taxa in the genital microbiota of sexual partners has also been found, and sexual activity can influence the composition of the urogenital microbiota. Exploring the microbial world within the male reproductive system and its influence on fertility opens doors to developing ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat infertility. The present work emphasizes the importance of using consistent methods, conducting long-term studies, and deepening our understanding of how the reproductive tract microbiome works. This helps make research comparable, pinpoint potential interventions, and smoothly apply microbiome insights to real-world clinical practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Jendraszak
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Skibińska
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kotwicka
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mirosław Andrusiewicz
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Corral-Vazquez C, Blanco J, Sarrate Z, Anton E. Unraveling the Intricacies of the Seminal Microbiome and Its Impact on Human Fertility. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:150. [PMID: 38534419 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Although the microbial communities from seminal fluid were an unexplored field some decades ago, their characteristics and potential roles are gradually coming to light. Therefore, a complex and specific microbiome population with commensal niches and fluctuating species has started to be revealed. In fact, certain clusters of bacteria have been associated with fertility and health, while the outgrowth of several species is potentially correlated with infertility indicators. This constitutes a compelling reason for outlining the external elements that may induce changes in the seminal microbiome composition, like lifestyle factors, gut microbiota, pathologies, prebiotics, and probiotics. In this review, we summarize the main findings about seminal microbiome, its origins and composition, its relationship with fertility, health, and influence factors, while reminding readers of the limitations and advantages introduced from technical variabilities during the experimental procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celia Corral-Vazquez
- Genetics of Male Fertility Group, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Joan Blanco
- Genetics of Male Fertility Group, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Zaida Sarrate
- Genetics of Male Fertility Group, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ester Anton
- Genetics of Male Fertility Group, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Neto FTL, Viana MC, Cariati F, Conforti A, Alviggi C, Esteves SC. Effect of environmental factors on seminal microbiome and impact on sperm quality. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1348186. [PMID: 38455659 PMCID: PMC10918436 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1348186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the seminal microbiome and its association with male infertility, while also highlighting areas that warrant further investigation. Methods A narrative review was conducted, encompassing all relevant studies published between 1980-2023 on the male reproductive tract microbiome in humans. This review considered studies utilizing culture-based, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methodologies to analyze the microbiome. Data extraction encompassed sample types (semen or testicular tissue), study designs, participant characteristics, employed techniques, and critical findings. Results We included 37 studies comprising 9,310 participants. Among these, 16 studies used culture-based methods, 16 utilized NGS, and five employed a combination of methods for microorganism identification. Notably, none of the studies assessed fungi or viruses. All NGS-based studies identified the presence of bacteria in all semen samples. Two notable characteristics of the seminal microbiome were observed: substantial variability in species composition among individuals and the formation of microbial communities with a dominant species. Studies examining the testicular microbiome revealed that the testicular compartment is not sterile. Interestingly, sexually active couples shared 56% of predominant genera, and among couples with positive cultures in both partners, 61% of them shared at least one genital pathogen. In couples with infertility of known causes, there was an overlap in bacterial composition between the seminal and vaginal microbiomes, featuring an increased prevalence of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera. Furthermore, the seminal microbiome had discernible effects on reproductive outcomes. However, bacteria in IVF culture media did not seem to impact pregnancy rates. Conclusion Existing literature underscores that various genera of bacteria colonize the male reproductive tract. These organisms do not exist independently; instead, they play a pivotal role in regulating functions and maintaining hemostasis. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and prospective studies and investigations into the influence of infertility causes and commonly prescribed medication to enhance our understanding of the seminal microbiota's role in reproductive health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina C. Viana
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Federica Cariati
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sandro C. Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pan Y, Wang S, Liu L, Liu X. Characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with asthenozoospermia: a Chinese pilot study. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:22. [PMID: 38225541 PMCID: PMC10789020 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03173-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of intestinal flora composition is significant for exploring the cause and pathogenic mechanisms of the gut-testis axis and clarifying the relationship between microbiota and infertility. Our study aimed to examine the alternation in gut microbiota composition and identify potential microbes associated with development of Asthenozoospermia (AS). METHOD A total of 580 males were recruited in the outpatient department of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between September 2021 and March 2023. Sperm parameters were analyzed according to the WHO laboratory manual. The 16 S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was performed to detect the gut microbiota composition in fecal samples. LEfSe analysis was used to screen key microbiota. PICRUSt2 software was utilized to predict relevant pathways. RESULTS After rigorous screening, 60 isolated AS patients (AS group) and 48 healthy men (NC group) were enrolled. No significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics (p > 0.05), semen volume (p = 0.718), sperm concentration (p = 0.109), or total sperm count (p = 0.200). Sperm total motility and progressive motility were significantly decreased in the AS group (p < 0.001). AS patients had significantly lower alpha diversity indices (Chao1, observed OTUs, and PD Whole-tree; p < 0.05). The beta-diversity of gut microbiota in AS patients significantly differed from NC men (PCoA analysis, p = 0.001). Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the primary phyla, with the dominant genera including Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Blautia. Eleven key genera such as Escherichia_Shigella and Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 were identified by LEfSe analysis. Most of these genera were negatively correlated with sperm mobility. Eighty-eight KEGG pathways, including steroid biosynthesis and meiosis, were significantly enriched between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS It appears that gut microbiota composition in AS patients significantly differed from that in healthy men, and the development of AS might be associated with intestinal flora dysbiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Pan
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Shangren Wang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Davies R, Minhas S, Jayasena CN. Next-Generation Sequencing to Elucidate the Semen Microbiome in Male Reproductive Disorders. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 60:25. [PMID: 38256286 PMCID: PMC10819355 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Mean sperm counts are declining at an accelerated rate and infertility is increasingly becoming a public health concern. It is now understood that human semen, previously considered to be sterile, harbours its own specific microbiome. Via activated leucocytes and the generation of reactive oxygen species, bacteria have the capability of evoking an immune response which may lead to sperm damage. Men with infertility have higher rates of both reactive oxygen species and sperm DNA damage. Due to the lack of sensitivity of routine culture and PCR-based methods, next-generation sequencing technology is being employed to characterise the seminal microbiome. There is a mounting body of studies that share a number of similarities but also a great range of conflicting findings. A lack of stringent decontamination procedures, small sample sizes and heterogeneity in other aspects of methodology makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions from these studies. However, various themes have emerged and evidence of highly conserved clusters of common bacteria can be seen. Depletion or over-representation of specific bacteria may be associated with aberrations in traditional and functional seminal parameters. Currently, the evidence is too limited to inform clinical practice and larger studies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhianna Davies
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12 0HS, UK;
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London W6 8RF, UK;
| | - Channa N. Jayasena
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12 0HS, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Campbell K, Suarez Arbelaez MC, Ghomeshi A, Ibrahim E, Roy S, Singh P, Khodamoradi K, Miller A, Lundy SD, Ramasamy R. Next-generation sequencing analysis of semen microbiome taxonomy in men with nonobstructive azoospermia vs. fertile controls: a pilot study. F&S SCIENCE 2023; 4:257-264. [PMID: 37321541 PMCID: PMC10527663 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study how the semen microbiome profile in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) differs from that of fertile controls (FCs). DESIGN Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA, we sequenced semen samples from men with NOA (follicle-stimulating hormone >10 IU/mL, testis volume <10 mL) and FCs and performed a comprehensive taxonomic microbiome analysis. SETTING All patients were identified during evaluation at the outpatient male andrology clinic at the University of Miami. PATIENTS In total, 33 adult men, including 14 diagnosed with NOA and 19 with proven paternity undergoing vasectomy, were enrolled. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bacterial species in the semen microbiome were identified. RESULTS Alpha-diversity was similar between the groups, suggesting similar diversity within samples, whereas beta-diversity was different, suggesting differences in taxa between samples. In the NOA men, the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were underrepresented, and Actinobacteriota were overrepresented compared with FC men. At the genus level, Enterococcus was the most common amplicon sequence variant in both groups, whereas 5 genera differed significantly between the groups, including Escherichia and Shigella, Sneathia, and Raoutella. CONCLUSION Our study showed significant differences in the seminal microbiome between men with NOA and fertile men. These results suggest a loss of functional symbiosis may be associated with NOA. Further research into the characterization and clinical utility of the semen microbiome and its causal role in male infertility is necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Campbell
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Armin Ghomeshi
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Emad Ibrahim
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Praveen Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Kajal Khodamoradi
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Aaron Miller
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Scott D Lundy
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ranjith Ramasamy
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Alqawasmeh O, Fok E, Yim H, Li T, Chung J, Chan D. The microbiome and male infertility: looking into the past to move forward. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:450-462. [PMID: 36039770 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2022.2098540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The human body harbours trillions of microbes, and their influence on human health has been explored in many parts of the human body, including the male reproductive system. From routine culturing to polymerise chain reaction (PCR) and high throughput DNA sequencing, several studies have identified bacteria in the male reproductive system. In this review, we discuss the past and current literature surrounding the testicular and semen microbiome in correlation with male infertility. We further highlight the potential benefits of probiotics as an alternative therapeutic option for male infertility. Although not conclusive, emerging data are indicating potential implications of certain bacterial members on male fertility. There is a general agreement on the negative impact of some pathogenic bacterial species on semen parameters, including sperm counts, motility, morphology, and DNA integrity. On the other hand, Lactobacillus, known as a human-friendly bacteria, has shown protective effects on semen parameters, which makes it a potentially good probiotic. In order to confirm the findings of previous studies, more clinical studies with larger sample sizes and the right controls are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Odai Alqawasmeh
- Assisted Reproductive Technology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ellis Fok
- Department of Biomedical Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Howard Yim
- Microbiome Research Centre, Department of Medicine, St George & Sutherland Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tin Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacqueline Chung
- Assisted Reproductive Technology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Veneruso I, Cariati F, Alviggi C, Pastore L, Tomaiuolo R, D'Argenio V. Metagenomics Reveals Specific Microbial Features in Males with Semen Alterations. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1228. [PMID: 37372408 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility incidence is rising worldwide, with male infertility accounting for about 50% of cases. To date, several factors have been associated with male infertility; in particular, it has been suggested that semen microbiota may play a role. Here, we report the NGS-based analyses of 20 semen samples collected from men with (Case) and without (Control) semen alterations. Genomic DNA was extracted from each collected sample, and a specific PCR was carried out to amplify the V4-V6 regions of the 16S rRNA. Sequence reactions were carried out on the MiSeq and analyzed by specific bioinformatic tools. We found a reduced richness and evenness in the Case versus the Control group. Moreover, specific genera, the Mannheimia, the Escherichia_Shigella, and the Varibaculum, were significantly increased in the Case compared to the Control group. Finally, we highlighted a correlation between the microbial profile and semen hyperviscosity. Even if further studies are required on larger groups of subjects to confirm these findings and explore mechanistic hypotheses, our results confirm the correlation between semen features and seminal microbiota. These data, in turn, may open the way to the possible use of semen microbiota as an attractive target for developing novel strategies for infertility management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iolanda Veneruso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Federica Cariati
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rossella Tomaiuolo
- Faculty of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria D'Argenio
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Open University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cao T, Wang S, Pan Y, Guo F, Wu B, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Tian J, Xing Q, Liu X. Characterization of the semen, gut, and urine microbiota in patients with different semen abnormalities. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1182320. [PMID: 37293215 PMCID: PMC10244769 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1182320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Semen quality is decreasing worldwide, leading to increased male infertility. This study analyzed the microbiota of the gut, semen, and urine in individuals with semen abnormalities to identify potential probiotics and pathogenic bacteria that affect semen parameters and help develop new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with semen abnormalities. Methods We recruited 12 individuals with normal semen parameters (control group), 12 with asthenospermia but no semen hyperviscosity (Group_1), 6 with oligospermia (Group_2), 9 with severe oligospermia or azoospermia (Group_3), and 14 with semen hyperviscosity only (Group_4). The semen, gut, and urine microbiota were examined by analyzing the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence using next-generation sequencing. Results The gut microbes were clustered into the highest number of operational taxonomic units, followed by urine and semen. Furthermore, the α-diversity of gut microbes was highest and significantly different from that of urine and semen microbiota. The microbiota of the gut, urine, and semen were all significantly different from each other in terms of β-diversity. The gut abundance of Collinsella was significantly reduced in groups 1, 3, and 4. Furthermore, the gut abundance of Bifidobacterium and Blautia was significantly decreased in Group_1, while that of Bacteroides was significantly increased in Group_3. The abundance of Staphylococcus was significantly increased in the semen of groups 1 and 4. Finally, Lactobacillus abundance was significantly reduced in the urine of groups 2 and 4. Discussion This study comprehensively describes the differences in intestinal and genitourinary tract microbiota between healthy individuals and those with abnormal semen parameters. Furthermore, our study identified Collinsella, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, and Lactobacillus as potential probiotics. Finally, the study identified Bacteroides in the gut and Staphylococcus in semen as potential pathogenic bacteria. Our study lays the foundation of a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingshuai Cao
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Urology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shangren Wang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Pan
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Urology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaqing Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingfei Xing
- Department of Urology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Garcia-Segura S, Del Rey J, Closa L, Garcia-Martínez I, Hobeich C, Castel AB, Vidal F, Benet J, Oliver-Bonet M. Characterization of Seminal Microbiome of Infertile Idiopathic Patients Using Third-Generation Sequencing Platform. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097867. [PMID: 37175573 PMCID: PMC10178615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first description of a commensal seminal microbiome using sequencing, less than a decade ago, interest in the composition of this microbiome and its relationship with fertility has been growing. Articles using next-generation sequencing techniques agree on the identification of the most abundant bacterial phyla. However, at the genus level, there is still no consensus on which bacteria are most abundant in human seminal plasma. This discrepancy may be due to methodological variability such as sample collection, bacterial DNA extraction methodology, which hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA gene have been amplified, or bioinformatic analysis. In the present work, seminal microbiota of 14 control samples and 42 samples of idiopathic infertile patients were characterized based on full-length sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene using MinION platform from Oxford Nanopore. These same samples had been analyzed previously using Illumina's MiSeq sequencing platform. Comparison between the results obtained with the two platforms has been used to analyze the impact of sequencing method on the study of the seminal microbiome's composition. Seminal microbiota observed with MinION were mainly composed of the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria, with the most abundant genera being Peptoniphilus, Finegoldia, Staphylococcus, Anaerococcus, Campylobacter, Prevotella, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Ezakiella and Enterococcus. This composition was similar to that found by the Illumina platform, since these 10 most abundant genera were also among the most abundant genera detected by the Nanopore platform. In both cases, the top 10 genera represented more than 70% of the classified reads. However, relative abundance of each bacterium did not correlate between these two platforms, with intraindividual variations of up to 50 percentage points in some cases. Results suggest that the effect of the sequencing platform on the characterization of seminal microbiota is not very large at the phylum level, with slightly variances in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, but presents differences at the genus level. These differences could alter the composition and diversity of bacterial profiles or posterior analyses. This indicates the importance of conducting multi-platform studies to better characterize seminal microbioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garcia-Segura
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Javier Del Rey
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laia Closa
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), 08005 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Garcia-Martínez
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Hobeich
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Castel
- Instituto de Fertilidad, C. Calçat 6, 07011 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Francisco Vidal
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), 08005 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Benet
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria Oliver-Bonet
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zuber A, Peric A, Pluchino N, Baud D, Stojanov M. Human Male Genital Tract Microbiota. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086939. [PMID: 37108103 PMCID: PMC10139050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human body is vastly colonised by microorganisms, whose impact on health is increasingly recognised. The human genital tract hosts a diverse microbiota, and an increasing number of studies on the male genital tract microbiota suggest that bacteria have a role in male infertility and pathological conditions, such as prostate cancer. Nevertheless, this research field remains understudied. The study of bacterial colonisation of the male genital tract is highly impacted by the invasive nature of sampling and the low abundance of the microbiota. Therefore, most studies relied on the analysis of semen microbiota to describe the colonisation of the male genital tract (MGT), which was thought to be sterile. The aim of this narrative review is to present the results of studies that used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to profile the bacterial colonisation patterns of different male genital tract anatomical compartments and critically highlight their findings and their weaknesses. Moreover, we identified potential research axes that may be crucial for our understanding of the male genital tract microbiota and its impact on male infertility and pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Zuber
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adriana Peric
- 360° Fertility Center Zurich, 8702 Zollikon, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Pluchino
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Baud
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Milos Stojanov
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen J, Chen J, Fang Y, Shen Q, Zhao K, Liu C, Zhang H. Microbiology and immune mechanisms associated with male infertility. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1139450. [PMID: 36895560 PMCID: PMC9989213 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1139450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of infertility is caused by the male side. Varicocele, orchitis, prostatitis, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and azoospermia are common causes of impaired male reproductive function and male infertility. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that microorganisms play an increasingly important role in the occurrence of these diseases. This review will discuss the microbiological changes associated with male infertility from the perspective of etiology, and how microorganisms affect the normal function of the male reproductive system through immune mechanisms. Linking male infertility with microbiome and immunomics can help us recognize the immune response under different disease states, providing more targeted immune target therapy for these diseases, and even the possibility of combined immunotherapy and microbial therapy for male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinyu Chen
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiwei Fang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuzi Shen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Contreras MJ, Núñez-Montero K, Bruna P, Zárate A, Pezo F, García M, Leal K, Barrientos L. Mammals' sperm microbiome: current knowledge, challenges, and perspectives on metagenomics of seminal samples. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1167763. [PMID: 37138598 PMCID: PMC10149849 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1167763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial growth is highly detrimental to sperm quality and functionality. However, during the last few years, using sequencing techniques with a metagenomic approach, it has been possible to deepen the study of bacteria-sperm relationships and describe non-culturable species and synergistic and antagonistic relationships between the different species in mammalian animals. We compile the recent metagenomics studies performed on mammalian semen samples and provide updated evidence to understand the importance of the microbial communities in the results of sperm quality and sperm functionality of males, looking for future perspectives on how these technologies can collaborate in the development of andrological knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María José Contreras
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile
| | - Pablo Bruna
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ana Zárate
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Felipe Pezo
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile
| | - Matías García
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Karla Leal
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Leticia Barrientos
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- *Correspondence: Leticia Barrientos,
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Enterotypes in asthenospermia patients with obesity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16993. [PMID: 36216963 PMCID: PMC9550853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The essence of enterotypes is stratifying the entire human gut microbiome, which modulates the association between diet and disease risk. A study was designed at the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University and Jinghua Hospital of Shenyang. Prevotella and Bacteroides were analyzed in 407 samples of stool, including 178 men with enterotype B (61 normal, 117 overweight/obese) and 229 men with enterotype P (74 normal, 155 overweight/obese). The ratio between Prevotella and Bacteroides abundance, P/B, was used as a simplified way to distinguish the predominant enterotype. In enterotype P group (P/B ≥ 0.01), obesity was a risk factor for a reduced rate of forward progressive sperm motility (odds ratio [OR] 3.350; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.881-5.966; P < 0.001), and a reduced rate of total sperm motility (OR 4.298; 95% CI 2.365-7.809; P < 0.001). Obesity was also an independent risk factor (OR 3.131; 95% CI 1.749-5.607; P < 0.001) after adjusting follicle-stimulating hormone. In enterotype P, body mass index, as a diagnostic indicator of a reduced rate of forward progressive sperm motility and a decreased rate of decreased total sperm motility, had AUC values of 0.627 (P = 0.001) and 0.675 (P < 0.0001), respectively, which were significantly higher than the predicted values in all patients. However, in enterotype B group (P < 0.01), obesity was not a risk factor for asthenospermia, where no significant difference between obesity and sperm quality parameters was observed. This study is tried to introduce enterotypes as a population-based individualized classification index to investigate the correlation between BMI and asthenospermia. In our study, overweight/obese men with enterotype P were found to have poorer sperm quality. however, sperm quality was not associated with overweight/obese in men with enterotype B. Thereof, BMI is a risk factor for asthenospermia only in men with enterotype P, but not in men with enterotype B.
Collapse
|
23
|
Morawiec E, Czerwiński M, Czerwińska AB, Wiczkowski A. Semen dysbiosis—just a male problem? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:815786. [PMID: 36176582 PMCID: PMC9514095 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.815786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal microflora is crucial to male fertility. Dysbiosis—disturbance of quantitative ratios of individual bacteria or appearance of pathogenic species—rarely results in symptomatic disease. Inflammation results in decreased sperm production, lower motility, or morphological changes and, in the long term, can cause ejaculatory duct obstruction, leading to infertility. Moreover, it may cause infection of the partner’s female genital tract. Dysbiosis in both partners results in fertility problems, disorders in embryo implantation, or miscarriages. In addition, chronic inflammation of the male genitourinary system may accelerate the appearance of antisperm antibodies. A comprehensive examination of seminal microflora can clarify the causes of infertility or prevent pathological conditions that affect seminal parameters. Seminal microflora as a direct impact on fertility problems as well as a decrease in the effectiveness of assisted reproduction methods, insemination, or in vitro procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Morawiec
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- Gyncentrum Sp. z o.o. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Virology, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- *Correspondence: Emilia Morawiec,
| | - Michał Czerwiński
- Gyncentrum Sp. z o.o. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Virology, Katowice, Poland
- American Medical Clinic, Katowice, Poland
| | - Anna Bednarska- Czerwińska
- Gyncentrum Sp. z o.o. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Virology, Katowice, Poland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wiczkowski
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Doroftei B, Ilie OD, Dabuleanu AM, Hutanu D, Vaduva CC. A Retrospective Narrative Mini-Review Regarding the Seminal Microbiota in Infertile Male. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:1067. [PMID: 36013533 PMCID: PMC9414835 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58081067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a global burden that affects both sexes with the male component remaining as an explored yet crucial research field that might offer novel evidence. Material and Methods: The present narrative mini-review aims to summarize all existing literature regarding the composition of the seminal microflora in infertile men. We performed searches in PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and ScienceDirect between 2018 and 2022 using a combination of keywords. Results: A total of n = 33 studies met the eligibility criteria and were further considered. From this, n = 14 were conducted on human patients, n = 3 on zebrafish (Danio rerio), n = 5 on rats, and n = 11 on mice. In twenty-five out of thirty-three papers, the authors sequenced the 16S rRNA; situations occurred where researchers focused on standard laboratory protocols. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are widely recognized as putative beneficial lactic bacteria. These two entities are capable of restoring the host's eubiosis to some extent, blocking pathogens' proliferation and endotoxins, and even alleviating specific patterns encountered in disease(s) (e.g., obesity, type 1 diabetes) due to prolonged exposure to toxicants in adults or from a developmental stage. Over the years, distinct approaches have been perfected, such as the transfer of feces between two species or conventional rudimentary products with proven efficiency. Conclusions: The seminal microflora is decisive and able to modulate psychological and physiological responses. Each individual possesses a personalized microbial profile further shaped by exogenous factors, regardless of sex and species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Doroftei
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", University Street, No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Cuza Voda", Cuza Voda Street, No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
- Origyn Fertility Center, Palace Street, No. 3C, 700032 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Carol I Avenue, No. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Dabuleanu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", University Street, No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Cuza Voda", Cuza Voda Street, No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
- Origyn Fertility Center, Palace Street, No. 3C, 700032 Iasi, Romania
| | - Delia Hutanu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Vasile Parvan Avenue, No. 4, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Constantin-Cristian Vaduva
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Petru Rares Street, No. 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital Filantropia, Filantropia Street, No. 1, 200143 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Infertility and IVF, HitMed Medical Center, Stefan cel Mare Street, No. 23-23A, 200130 Craiova, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Garcia-Segura S, del Rey J, Closa L, Garcia-Martínez I, Hobeich C, Castel AB, Vidal F, Benet J, Ribas-Maynou J, Oliver-Bonet M. Seminal Microbiota of Idiopathic Infertile Patients and Its Relationship With Sperm DNA Integrity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:937157. [PMID: 35837328 PMCID: PMC9275566 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.937157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of new biomarkers for human male infertility is crucial to improve the diagnosis and the prognosis of this disease. Recently, seminal microbiota was shown to be related to sperm quality parameters, suggesting an effect in human fertility and postulating it as a biomarker candidate. However, its relationship to sperm DNA integrity has not been studied yet. The aim of the present study is to characterize the seminal microbiota of a western Mediterranean population and to evaluate its relationship to sperm chromatin integrity parameters, and oxidative stress. For that purpose, 14 samples from sperm donors and 42 samples from infertile idiopathic patients were obtained and were analyzed to assess the composition of the microbiota through full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Illumina MiSeq platform). Microbial diversity and relative abundances were compared to classic sperm quality parameters (macroscopic semen parameters, motility, morphology and concentration), chromatin integrity (global DNA damage, double-stranded DNA breaks and DNA protamination status) and oxidative stress levels (oxidation-reduction potential). The seminal microbiota observed of these samples belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The most abundant genera were Finegoldia, Peptoniphilus, Anaerococcus, Campylobacter, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Moraxella, Prevotella, Ezakiella, Corynebacterium and Lactobacillus. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Ezakiella genus in seminal samples. Two clusters of microbial profiles were built based on a clustering analysis, and specific genera were found with different frequencies in relation to seminal quality defects. The abundances of several bacteria negatively correlate with the sperm global DNA fragmentation, most notably Moraxella, Brevundimonas and Flavobacterium. The latter two were also associated with higher sperm motility and Brevundimonas additionally with lower oxidative-reduction potential. Actinomycetaceae, Ralstonia and Paenibacillus correlated with reduced chromatin protamination status and increased double-stranded DNA fragmentation. These effects on DNA integrity coincide in many cases with the metabolism or enzymatic activities of these genera. Significant differences between fertile and infertile men were found in the relative presence of the Propionibacteriaceae family and the Cutibacterium, Rhodopseudomonas and Oligotropha genera, which supports its possible involvement in male fertility. Our findings sustain the hypothesis that the seminal microbiome has an effect on male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garcia-Segura
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Javier del Rey
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laia Closa
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Garcia-Martínez
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Hobeich
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Vidal
- Medicina Transfusional, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Coagulopaties Congènites, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Benet
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Maria Oliver-Bonet
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Venneri MA, Franceschini E, Sciarra F, Rosato E, D'Ettorre G, Lenzi A. Human genital tracts microbiota: dysbiosis crucial for infertility. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1151-1160. [PMID: 35113404 PMCID: PMC9098539 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01752-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Human body is colonized by trillions of microbes, influenced by several factors, both endogenous, as hormones and circadian regulation, and exogenous as, life-style habits and nutrition. The alteration of such factors can lead to microbial dysbiosis, a phenomenon which, in turn, represents a risk factor in many different pathologies including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease, and infertility. Female microbiota dysbiosis (vaginal, endometrial, placental) and male microbiota dysbiosis (seminal fluid) can influence the fertility, determining a detrimental impact on various conditions, as pre-term birth, neonatal illnesses, and macroscopic sperm parameters impairments. Furthermore, unprotected sexual intercourse creates a bacterial exchange between partners, and, in addition, each partner can influence the microbiota composition of partner's reproductive tracts. This comprehensive overview of the effects of bacterial dysbiosis in both sexes and how partners might influence each other will allow for better personalization of infertility management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Franceschini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Sciarra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Rosato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G D'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mocé ML, Esteve IC, Pérez-Fuentes S, Gómez EA, Mocé E. Microbiota in Goat Buck Ejaculates Differs Between Breeding and Non-breeding Seasons. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:867671. [PMID: 35647092 PMCID: PMC9136232 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.867671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in semen microbiota are associated with alterations to sperm quality and fertility. However, the microbiota from most livestock species has not yet been studied. Goats are seasonal breeders, but semen microbiota has never been described in this species, and it is unknown how seasonality affects it. Our study objective is 2-fold: to describe the microbiota in goat buck ejaculates and to determine if it differs between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Semen from six males of the Murciano-Granadina breed was collected during both seasons. Two replicates were performed per male and season on different days. The microbiota was characterized by genomic sequencing technology. Sperm quality was also evaluated. Repetition was not significant for the studied variables. Sperm velocities were higher for the breeding than for the non-breeding season. The ejaculates from both seasons also differed in the proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa. The five dominant phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes during the breeding season and Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria during the non-breeding season. The dominant genus during both seasons was Ureaplasma. Differences in microbial community structure (the beta diversity) were found. A decrease in the relative abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium and an increase in the genera Sphingomonas and Halomonas were observed in the ejaculates collected during the breeding season. Sphingomonas and Faecalibacterium abundance favorably and unfavorably correlated with sperm quality, respectively. In conclusion, the semen microbiota from goat bucks varies between breeding and non-breeding seasons, and the microbiota remains stable for 7 days within a season. In addition, the genera Sphingomonas and Faecalibacterium could be possible biomarkers of semen quality in goat bucks. These results contribute to an in-depth understanding of the effects of reproductive seasonality on goat buck ejaculates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Lorena Mocé
- Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
- Unidad Asociada UCH-CEU – IVIA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Inés Carolina Esteve
- Unidad Asociada UCH-CEU – IVIA, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Pérez-Fuentes
- Unidad Asociada UCH-CEU – IVIA, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ernesto A. Gómez
- Unidad Asociada UCH-CEU – IVIA, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva Mocé
- Unidad Asociada UCH-CEU – IVIA, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Eva Mocé
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Medo J, Žiarovská J, Ďuračka M, Tvrdá E, Baňas Š, Gábor M, Kyseľ M, Kačániová M. Core Microbiome of Slovak Holstein Friesian Breeding Bulls' Semen. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113331. [PMID: 34828061 PMCID: PMC8614657 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial profile of semen collected from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls via a high-throughput sequencing approach for a 16S rRNA gene variability analysis. A total of 55 fresh semen samples of sexually mature breeding bulls were used in the study. They were gathered from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls at Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. To amplify the V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, universal primers 515F and 806R enhanced by a 6 bp barcode identification sequence were used. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy was used. Two microbial clusters were identified among the analyzed samples—the first cluster was based on Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, while the second cluster contained a high prevalence of Fusobacteria. Abstract Bacterial contamination of semen is an important factor connected to the health status of bulls that may significantly affect semen quality for artificial insemination. Moreover, some important bovine diseases may be transmitted through semen. Up to now, only a very limited number of complex studies describing the semen microbiome of bulls have been published, as many bacteria are hard to cultivate using traditional techniques. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy allows for the reliable identification of bacterial profiles of bovine semen together with the detection of noncultivable bacterial species. Fresh samples from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls (n = 55) were examined for the natural variability in the present bacteria. Semen doses were selected randomly from Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. The most predominant phyla within the whole dataset were Firmicutes (31%), Proteobacteria (22%), Fusobacteria (18%), Actinobacteria (13%) and Bacteroidetes (12%). Samples of semen were divided into two separate clusters according to their microbiome compositions using a cording partition around a medoids analysis. Microbiomes of the first cluster (CL1) of samples (n = 20) were based on Actinobacteria (CL1 average = 25%; CL = 28%) and Firmicutes (CL1 = 38%; CL2 = 27%), while the second cluster (CL2; n = 35) contained samples characterized by a high prevalence of Fusobacteria (CL1 = 4%; CL2 = 26%). Some important indicator microbial groups were differentially distributed between the clusters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Medo
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Jana Žiarovská
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Eva Tvrdá
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Štefan Baňas
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Michal Gábor
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Matúš Kyseľ
- Research Centre AgroBioTech, Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Genetic Technologies, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horticulture, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Voroshilina ES, Zornikov DL, Ivanov AV, Pochernikov DG, Panacheva EA. Microbiota of semen samples with normozoospermia: analysis of real-time PCR data. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2021.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of semen microbiota is difficult due to the lack of established criteria for interpretation of microbiological tests. The aim of the study was to determine the stable clusters of semen microbiota analyzed by real-time PCR in samples with normozoospermia. Semen samples of 227 men with normal spermiograms were included in the study. The quantity of total bacterial DNA and at least one group of microorganisms was more than 103 GE/ml in 107 (41.7%) samples. Four stable microbiota clusters with the prevalence of a specific microorganism group were distinguished in these samples: obligate anaerobes (OA) cluster (proportion in the centroid — 81.1%); Lactobacillus spp. cluster (proportion in the centroid — 64.3%); gram-positive facultative anaerobes (GPFA) cluster (proportion in the centroid — 92.5%); Enterobacteriaceae/Enterococcoccus (EE) cluster (proportion in the centroid — 80.8%). The clusters were ranked by frequency of occurrence: OA cluster was the most prevalent (43 (40.2%) of 107), second-most frequent were GPFA-cluster (27 (25.2%)) and Lactobacillus-cluster (22 (20.6%)). EE-dominated cluster was found in 15 (14.0%) cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - DL Zornikov
- Ural State Medical University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - AV Ivanov
- Yeltsin Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - EA Panacheva
- Ural State Medical University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Molina NM, Plaza-Díaz J, Vilchez-Vargas R, Sola-Leyva A, Vargas E, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Galán-Lázaro M, Mendoza-Ladrón de Guevara N, Tesarik J, Altmäe S. Assessing the testicular sperm microbiome: a low-biomass site with abundant contamination. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:523-531. [PMID: 34344601 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION The semen harbours a diverse range of microorganisms. The origin of the seminal microbes, however, has not yet been established. Do testicular spermatozoa harbour microbes and could they potentially contribute to the seminal microbiome composition? DESIGN The study included 24 samples, comprising a total of 307 testicular maturing spermatozoa. A high-throughput sequencing method targeting V3 and V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene was applied. A series of negative controls together with stringent in-silico decontamination methods were analysed. RESULTS Between 50 and 70% of all the detected bacterial reads accounted for contamination in the testicular sperm samples. After stringent decontamination, Blautia (P = 0.04), Cellulosibacter (P = 0.02), Clostridium XIVa (P = 0.01), Clostridium XIVb (P = 0.04), Clostridium XVIII (P = 0.02), Collinsella (P = 0.005), Prevotella (P = 0.04), Prolixibacter (P = 0.02), Robinsoniella (P = 0.04), and Wandonia (P = 0.04) genera demonstrated statistically significant abundance among immature spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the human testicle harbours potential bacterial signature, though in a low-biomass, and could contribute to the seminal microbiome composition. Further, applying stringent decontamination methods is crucial for analysing microbiome in low-biomass site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nerea M Molina
- University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, Granada 18071, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Julio Plaza-Díaz
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain; University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, Granada 18071, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), 'José Mataix Verdú' Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada 18016, Spain; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Ramiro Vilchez-Vargas
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Otto von Guericke University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Alberto Sola-Leyva
- University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, Granada 18071, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Eva Vargas
- Systems Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Jaen, Jaen 23071, Spain
| | | | - Maribel Galán-Lázaro
- MARGen Clinic, Molecular Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Granada 18006, Spain
| | | | - Jan Tesarik
- MARGen Clinic, Molecular Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Granada 18006, Spain
| | - Signe Altmäe
- University of Granada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, Granada 18071, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
El-Gendy MMAA, Abdel-Wahhab KG, Hassan NS, El-Bondkly EA, Farghaly AA, Ali HF, Ali SA, El-Bondkly AMA. Evaluation of carcinogenic activities and sperm abnormalities of Gram-negative bacterial metabolites isolated from cancer patients after subcutaneous injection in albino rats. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2021; 114:287-302. [PMID: 33559865 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-021-01522-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial pathogens drive tumorigenesis in 20% of cancer cases, so the present study is aimed to evaluate the carcinogenic activities, sperm abnormalities and other dangerous effects of the subcutaneous injection of extracts obtained from various clinical Gram-negative bacteria derived from cancer patients using albino rats. We isolated, identified and extracted of their secondary metabolites of carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria derived from cancer patients. Various methods have been used to determine hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, tumorigenesis, inflammatory and sperm abnormalities in the albino rats injected with extracts. In comparison with the normal animals group, all extracts induced hepatotoxicity which was evidenced by the significant elevation in the activity of the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase; also, nephrotoxicity that was indicated through the marked increase in the serum urea and creatinine levels; tumorigenesis was achieved from the sharp elevation in serum levels of alpha fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen and lactate dehydrogenase values as tumor markers; as well as severe inflammatory characteristics were monitored from the marked raise of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1beta. Furthermore, the proportion of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes and sperm abnormalities were statistically significant in all groups compared to control group. Various kinds of head abnormalities and coiled tail were noted. Histopathological examination of hepatic tissue came in line with the biochemical and cytological findings. It could conclude that the extracts of Serratia sp. Esraa 1, Stenotrophomonas sp. Esraa 2, Acinetobacter sp. Esraa 3, Escherichia sp. Esraa 4 and Pseudomonas sp. Esraa 5 were able to initiate cytotoxicity and tumorigenesis in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nabila S Hassan
- Pathology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | | | - Ayman A Farghaly
- Genetics and Cytology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Hanan F Ali
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Sanaa A Ali
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M A El-Bondkly
- Genetics and Cytology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Voroshilina ES, Zornikov DL, Ivanov AV, Pochernikov DG, Panacheva EA. Semen microbiota: cluster analysis of real-time PCR data. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2020.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To this day semen microbiota is still poorly understood, and clinical significance of detecting specific microorganism groups has not been clearly determined. The aim of this work was to conduct cluster analysis of semen microbiota detected using real-time PCR. 634 semen samples of reproductive age men were analyzed using the Androflor kit. Microbial DNA in the quantity of no less than 103 GE/ml was detected in 460 samples (72.5%). From 1 to 14 microorganism groups were detected in 350 samples (55.2%) in the quantities that exceeded the threshold values (the detection rate of specific groups: 3.3–21.0%). In these 350 samples 4 stable microbiota clusters were determined. Each of the clusters was characterized by the prevalence of a specific microorganism group: obligate anaerobes (cluster 1; n = 172; detection rate — 49.1%), Lactobacillus spp. (cluster 2; n = 78; detection rate — 22.3%), gram-positive facultative anaerobes (cluster 3; n = 62; detection rate — 17.7%), Enterobacteriaceae / Enterococcoccus (cluster 4; n = 62; detection rate — 10.9%). Cluster 1 was less stable and was characterized by the larger species diversity compared to other clusters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ES Voroshilina
- Ural State Medical University of the Ministry of health, Yekaterinburg, Russia; Medical Center "Garmonia", Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - DL Zornikov
- Ural State Medical University of the Ministry of health, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - AV Ivanov
- Yeltsin Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia; Krasovskii Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - EA Panacheva
- Ural State Medical University of the Ministry of health, Yekaterinburg, Russia; Medical Center "Garmonia", Yekaterinburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|