The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review
Purpose: Male infertility is a multifactorial condition with microbial infections emerging as significant yet under-recognized contributors. This review aims to explore the role of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in male infertility and to examine the intrinsic defense mechanisms of the mal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61402 |
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| author | Piotr Rzyczniok Aneta Rasińska Weronika Rasińska Anna Rzyczniok Justyna Matusik Natalia Pasierb Sebastian Kupisiak Aneta Rostkowska Paulina Bala Anna Rebizak Justyna Jachimczak Mateusz Kopczyński |
| author_facet | Piotr Rzyczniok Aneta Rasińska Weronika Rasińska Anna Rzyczniok Justyna Matusik Natalia Pasierb Sebastian Kupisiak Aneta Rostkowska Paulina Bala Anna Rebizak Justyna Jachimczak Mateusz Kopczyński |
| author_sort | Piotr Rzyczniok |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Male infertility is a multifactorial condition with microbial infections emerging as significant yet under-recognized contributors. This review aims to explore the role of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in male infertility and to examine the intrinsic defense mechanisms of the male reproductive tract that are critical in preventing microbial invasion and preserving fertility.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed sources from databases such as PubMed and Scopus. The analysis focused on recent findings (2005–2024) concerning microbial pathogenesis in the male reproductive system, seminal microbiota composition, and host defense mechanisms including immune responses and physical barriers.
Findings: Both gram-positive (Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Streptococcus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria negatively affect sperm quality by inducing oxidative stress, producing toxins, triggering chronic inflammation, and disrupting the blood-testis barrier. Protective mechanisms such as antimicrobial peptides, immunomodulatory cytokines (e.g., TGF-β, IL-10), and the commensal microbiota play a vital role in preserving sperm function. Dysbiosis and persistent infections can compromise these defenses, leading to decreased fertility potential.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e6bc73a6a0de420fb54e0b2c081ba578 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-e6bc73a6a0de420fb54e0b2c081ba5782025-08-20T03:50:53ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-07-014310.12775/QS.2025.43.61402The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature ReviewPiotr Rzyczniok0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5899-2345Aneta Rasińska1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2872-8000Weronika Rasińska2https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2404-2958Anna Rzyczniok3https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6069-2650Justyna Matusik4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7907-9690Natalia Pasierb5https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9701-1162Sebastian Kupisiak6https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9631-2314Aneta Rostkowska7https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1142-2507Paulina Bala8https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0604-8549Anna Rebizak9https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6439-2726Justyna Jachimczak10https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7614-9500Mateusz Kopczyński11https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6592-3061Private Healthcare Institution ProCordi in Jastrzębie Zdrój, 44-335 Jastrzębie Zdrój ul. Wyspiańskiego 8, PolandMunicipal Hospital No. 4 in Gliwice Ltd. Zygmunta Starego 20, 44-100, PolandSilesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, ul. Akademicka 2a, PolandŚląski Uniwersytet MedycznyAcademy of Silesia in Katowice, 40-555 Katowice, ul. Rolna 43Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Warszawa 04-141, ul. Szaserów 128, PolandCzerniakowski Hospital Ltd., 00-739 Warszawa, ul. Stępińska 19/25, PolandIndependent Public Clinical Hospital named after Prof. W. Orłowski, 00-416 Warszawa, ul. Czerniakowska 231, PolandOur Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital in Wołomin, 05-200 Wołomin, ul. Gdyńska 1/3, PolandAcademy of Silesia in Katowice, 40-555 Katowice, ul. Rolna 43, PolandOur Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital in Wołomin, 05-200 Wołomin, ul. Gdyńska 1/3, PolandMunicipal Hospital Complex in Częstochowa, Częstochowa 42-200, ul. Mirowska 15Purpose: Male infertility is a multifactorial condition with microbial infections emerging as significant yet under-recognized contributors. This review aims to explore the role of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in male infertility and to examine the intrinsic defense mechanisms of the male reproductive tract that are critical in preventing microbial invasion and preserving fertility. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed sources from databases such as PubMed and Scopus. The analysis focused on recent findings (2005–2024) concerning microbial pathogenesis in the male reproductive system, seminal microbiota composition, and host defense mechanisms including immune responses and physical barriers. Findings: Both gram-positive (Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Streptococcus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria negatively affect sperm quality by inducing oxidative stress, producing toxins, triggering chronic inflammation, and disrupting the blood-testis barrier. Protective mechanisms such as antimicrobial peptides, immunomodulatory cytokines (e.g., TGF-β, IL-10), and the commensal microbiota play a vital role in preserving sperm function. Dysbiosis and persistent infections can compromise these defenses, leading to decreased fertility potential. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61402male infertilityurogenital microbiotagram-positive bacteriagram-negative bacteriareproductive tract infectionsseminal microbiome |
| spellingShingle | Piotr Rzyczniok Aneta Rasińska Weronika Rasińska Anna Rzyczniok Justyna Matusik Natalia Pasierb Sebastian Kupisiak Aneta Rostkowska Paulina Bala Anna Rebizak Justyna Jachimczak Mateusz Kopczyński The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review Quality in Sport male infertility urogenital microbiota gram-positive bacteria gram-negative bacteria reproductive tract infections seminal microbiome |
| title | The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review |
| title_full | The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review |
| title_short | The Role of Microbial Factors in the Pathogenesis of Male Infertility: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | role of microbial factors in the pathogenesis of male infertility a literature review |
| topic | male infertility urogenital microbiota gram-positive bacteria gram-negative bacteria reproductive tract infections seminal microbiome |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61402 |
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