Dataset Information

Bacterial communities in semen from men of infertile couples: metagenomic sequencing reveals relationships of seminal microbiota to semen quality.

ABSTRACT: Some previous studies have identified bacteria in semen as being a potential factor in male infertility. However, only few types of bacteria were taken into consideration while using PCR-based or culturing methods. Here we present an analysis approach using next-generation sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the associations between bacterial communities and semen quality. Ninety-six semen samples collected were examined for bacterial communities, measuring seven clinical criteria for semen quality (semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, Kruger's strict morphology, antisperm antibody (IgA), Atypical, and leukocytes). Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was also performed. Results showed that the most abundant genera among all samples were Lactobacillus (19.9%), Pseudomonas (9.85%), Prevotella (8.51%) and Gardnerella (4.21%). The proportion of Lactobacillus and Gardnerella was significantly higher in the normal samples, while that of Prevotella was significantly higher in the low quality samples. Unsupervised clustering analysis demonstrated that the seminal bacterial communities were clustered into three main groups: Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, and Prevotella predominant group. Remarkably, most normal samples (80.6%) were clustered in Lactobacillus predominant group. The analysis results showed seminal bacteria community types were highly associated with semen health. Lactobacillus might not only be a potential probiotic for semen quality maintenance, but also might be helpful in countering the negative influence of Prevotella and Pseudomonas. In this study, we investigated whole seminal bacterial communities and provided the most comprehensive analysis of the association between bacterial community and semen quality. The study significantly contributes to the current understanding of the etiology of male fertility.

SUBMITTER: Weng SL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4207690 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Bacterial communities in semen from men of infertile couples: metagenomic sequencing reveals relationships of seminal microbiota to semen quality.

Weng Shun-Long SL Chiu Chih-Min CM Lin Feng-Mao FM Huang Wei-Chih WC Liang Chao C Yang Ting T Yang Tzu-Ling TL Liu Chia-Yu CY Wu Wei-Yun WY Chang Yi-An YA Chang Tzu-Hao TH Huang Hsien-Da HD

PloS one 20141023 10

Some previous studies have identified bacteria in semen as being a potential factor in male infertility. However, only few types of bacteria were taken into consideration while using PCR-based or culturing methods. Here we present an analysis approach using next-generation sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the associations between bacterial communities and semen quality. Ninety-six semen samples collected were examined for bacterial communities, measuring seven cli ...[more]

PMID: 25340531

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Project description:Several studies have found associations between specific bacterial genera and semen parameters. Bacteria are known to influence the composition of their niche and, consequently, could affect the composition of the seminal plasma. This study integrated microbiota profiling and metabolomics to explore the influence of seminal bacteria on semen metabolite composition in infertile couples, revealing associations between specific bacterial genera and metabolite profiles. Amino acids and acylcarnitines were the predominant metabolite groups identified in seminal plasma. Different microbiota profiles did not result in globally diverse metabolite compositions in seminal plasma. Nevertheless, levels of specific metabolites increased in the presence of a dysbiotic microbiota. Urocanate was significantly increased in abnormal semen samples (adjusted P-value < 0.001) and enriched in samples dominated by Prevotella spp. (P-value < 0.05), which was previously linked to a negative impact on semen. Therefore, varying microbiota profiles can influence the abundance of certain metabolites, potentially having an immunomodulatory effect, as seen with urocanate.IMPORTANCEMale infertility is often considered idiopathic since the specific cause of infertility often remains unidentified. Recently, variations in the seminal microbiota composition have been associated with normal and abnormal semen parameters and may, therefore, influence male infertility. Bacteria are known to alter the metabolite composition of their ecological niches, and thus, seminal bacteria might affect the composition of the seminal fluid, crucial in the fertilization process. Our research indicates that distinct seminal microbiota profiles are not associated with widespread changes in the metabolite composition of the seminal fluid. Instead, the presence of particular metabolites with immunomodulatory functions, such as urocanate, could shed light on the interplay between seminal microbiota and variations in semen parameters.

Dataset Information

Bacterial communities in semen from men of infertile couples: metagenomic sequencing reveals relationships of seminal microbiota to semen quality.

Publications

Bacterial communities in semen from men of infertile couples: metagenomic sequencing reveals relationships of seminal microbiota to semen quality.

Similar Datasets

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