THE CORRELATION OF UREAPLASMA-UREALYTICUM INFECTION WITH INFERTILITY

A prevalence study of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection of the mal e genital tract was carried out in Shanghai between March 1992 and Jun e 1995, Significantly higher frequency of UU infection was found among infertile males (549/1416) as compared to fertile controls (34/375). Examination of 8 specimens each from infertile men and fertile subject s by electron microscopy, immunogold and immunofluorescence techniques , demonstrated adhesion of Ureaplasma urealyticum to the membrane of s permatozoa and exfoliated germ cells. In addition, gold particles on U reaplasma urealyticum were found to be adhered to the sperm surface in 4 of the 8 samples. Strong specific anti-UU fluorescence was detected in 6 of 8 samples, mainly on the midpieces and post-acrosomal regions of the spermatozoa. To further study the effects of Ureaplasma urealy ticum on fertility, 47 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were infected art ificially with Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 8 (T960). Morphological changes in the seminiferous tubules were observed 3-5 weeks after ino culation in the sacrificed animals. Dramatic impairment of spermatogen esis of both testes was found in 11 rats. Mating experiment confirmed infertility in 12 of 40 rats. Offsprings of the infected rats were sig nificantly smaller than those of controls in terms of prenatal weights and birthweights.