Relationship between the Recovery of Aerobic Bacteria from Semen and Male Infertility in Jordan

Background: The role of bacteria detected in semen, on male’s fertility is still a matter of debate. Objective: This paper provides a comparative study on the significance of bacterial presence in semen derived from fertile and non-fertile Jordanian males. Method: Semen specimens included in this study were collected from 80 males with fertility problems and from 40 volunteers with known fertility. All specimens were investigated for total microbial count, recovery of aerobic bacteria, sperm count, sperm motility and morphology using standard techniques. Out of 80 semen specimens collected from males with infertility problems, 45 (56.25%) of specimens harbored bacteria in counts >10 2 CFU / ml, and in 75.55% of these specimens bacteria were recovered in counts exceeding 10 4 CFU / ml. Common bacterial isolates were coagulase negative Staphylococci (31.11%), Enterococcus faecalis (24.44%), Micrococcus species (15.55%) and coagulase positive Staphylococci (13.33%). The least isolated aerobic bacteria belonged to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Results: By comparing results of semen specimens derived from fertile and infertile individuals, it has been found that the total bacterial count was significantly higher in the semen collected from males with infertility problems. The infertile group also harbored Ent. faecalis and coagulase positive Staphylococci in a higher proportion of specimens. Certain types of bacteria when isolated from semen can provide an indication regarding the fertility potentials of males. Other isolates are most probably contaminants with no clinical impact on fertility. Conclusion: Total bacterial count should become a routine practice whenever semen culture is performed.