Influence of Escherichia coli on motility parameters of human spermatozoa in vitro

Summary The influence of E. coli on human sperm motility was studied in vitro. Semen samples were prepared by a swim‐up technique and adjusted to 22 times10 6 spermatozoa/ml. Samples were then inoculated with different concentrations of a uropathogenic strain of E. coli , serotype 06, with initial sperm/bacteria ratios varying between 10:1 and 10000:1. Motion parameters were analysed by computer‐aided motility analysis directly, and 2, 4 and 6 h after inoculation. In a second series of experiments, bacterial replication was inhibited by addition of chloramphenicol. In a third series, the effect of E. coli culture filtrates on sperm motility was investigated. The direct inhibitory effect of E. coli on progressive motility of spermatozoa was found to depend upon the bacterial concentration. A distinct inhibitory effect was observed only at a sperm/bacteria ratio of approximately 1, achieved by growth of E. coli during the experiments. For modality of motion, no distinct changes were observed. When growth of bacteria was prevented by chloramphenicol, no inhibitory effect on sperm motility was detected. Sperm motility was not inhibited by E. coli culture filtrates. Analysis by electron microscopy revealed multiple adhesions of E. coli to spermatozoa, causing variable ultrastructural damage as probable morphological correlates of immobilization.