Microbial Contaminants in Semen and Their Effects on Sperm Motility Morphology and Fertility Outcomes.

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Semen contamination by microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, significantly affects sperm quality and fertility. These pathogens, which can come from the urogenital tract or external sources, lead to decreased sperm motility, abnormal morphology, and reduced fertilization capacity. Bacterial toxins interfere with flagellar movement, while pathogen attachment to sperm surfaces further impedes motility. Moreover, microbial infections trigger inflammatory responses, creating an unfavorable environment for sperm function. Contaminated semen samples often exhibit morphological changes, such as sperm clumping, irregular head and tail structures, and compromised membrane integrity.