Influence of enterococci on human sperm membrane in vitro.
- Author:
Hua QIANG
1
;
Ming-Sen JIANG
;
Jian-Yin LIN
;
Wei-Min HE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Cell Membrane; drug effects; microbiology; Ejaculation; Enterococcus; physiology; Feces; microbiology; Humans; Male; Phosphatidylcholines; pharmacology; Reference Values; Spermatozoa; drug effects; microbiology; ultrastructure
- From: Asian Journal of Andrology 2007;9(1):77-81
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
AIMTo study the influence of enterococci on human sperm membrane in vitro.
METHODSEjaculated human sperm were artificially infected with beta-hemolytic or non-beta-hemolytic enterococci at the bacteria: sperm ratio of 50:1 at 37 degrees . Sperm membrane integrity was examined after incubation for 1, 3 and 5 h by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test and electron microscopy.
RESULTSSperm infected with beta-hemolytic enterococci had lower HOS scores compared with non-beta-hemolytic strains or uninfected control (P < 0.01). The HOS test scores of sperm infected with beta-hemolytic enterococci increased in the presence of phosphatidylcholine, an inhibitor of hemolysin. Non-beta-hemolytic strains showed no significant difference in swelling rate, compared with the control group (P > 0.05). It was shown by electron microscopy that beta-hemolytic enterococci caused significant rupture of human sperm membrane.
CONCLUSIONBeta-hemolytic enterococci caused human sperm membrane injury, and might be mediated by the hemolysin of enterococci.
