Association between the presence of <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. and male infertility

While male infertility has been associated with <i>Mycoplasma</i> infections, few studies have investigated the association between <i>Mycoplasma</i> infection and male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed at addressing this issue. Semen samples were collected from 136 patients (68 infertile men and 68 fertile men) in the Central Laboratory of Yazd, Iran. Of semen samples collected from 68 infertile and 68 fertile men, 13 (19.12%) and 2 (2.94%) cases were positive for <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. using PCR, respectively. Among <i>Mycoplasma</i>-infected infertile men, 10 and 6 men showed abnormal sperm morphology and motility, respectively. None of the positive samples for <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. was positive for <i>M. hominis</i> and one of the positive samples for <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. belonged to <i>Mycoplasma hyorhinis</i> (strain NBRC 14858). The presence of <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. was significantly higher in infertile men (<i>p</i> = .003). <i>Mycoplasma</i> infection was relatively high in infertile men. The surprising issue was the absence of <i>M. hominis</i> and the presence of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> strain NBRC 14858 in the semen of infertile men. Therefore, investigating reproductive tract infections caused by other <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. should be taken into consideration in male infertility.Impact statement<b>What is already known on this subject?</b><i>Mycoplasma hyorhinis</i> has been mostly reported as a cause of animal respiratory tract infections and the development of various cancers. Information on the association of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> with male infertility is not yet available.<b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study shows that the presence of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in the semen of infertile men may be associated with infertility. This study shows that the investigation of unpredictable species of genus <i>Mycoplasma</i> such as <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in the semen of infertile men is essential.<b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> The results of the present study indicate that in addition to <i>M. genitalium</i> and <i>M. hominis</i>, studies on the role of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in reproductive tract infections and infertility should be expanded. <b>What is already known on this subject?</b><i>Mycoplasma hyorhinis</i> has been mostly reported as a cause of animal respiratory tract infections and the development of various cancers. Information on the association of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> with male infertility is not yet available. <b>What do the results of this study add?</b> This study shows that the presence of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in the semen of infertile men may be associated with infertility. This study shows that the investigation of unpredictable species of genus <i>Mycoplasma</i> such as <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in the semen of infertile men is essential. <b>What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> The results of the present study indicate that in addition to <i>M. genitalium</i> and <i>M. hominis</i>, studies on the role of <i>M. hyorhinis</i> in reproductive tract infections and infertility should be expanded.