Influence of sexual intercourse on genital tract microbiota in infertile couples |
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Authors: | Borovkova Natalja Korrovits Paul Ausmees Kristo Türk Silver Jõers Kai Punab Margus Mändar Reet |
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Affiliation: | aDepartment of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Estonia;bAndrology Centre, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia;cCompetence Centre on Reproductive Medicine and Biology, Tartu, Estonia;dQuattromed Ltd., Tartu, Estonia |
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Abstract: | Several studies have suggested the association of disturbed genital tract microbiota with infertility. Our aim was to clarify the influence of sexual intercourse on partner’s genital tract microbiota in infertile couples. Seventeen couples were studied, and in 5 men inflammatory prostatitis (IP) was diagnosed. Semen samples were collected during menstruation of the female counterpart, two self-collected vaginal samples were taken 3–5 days later – before intercourse and 8–12 h after intercourse. Ureaplasma parvum was found in 59% of women, its prevalence was higher in women whose partner had IP, as well as in half of their male partners. Sexual intercourse caused significant shifts in vaginal microbiota – increase of Nugent score and shifts in cultured microbiota (emergence and disappearance of several species). These changes were less expressed in the presence of normal vaginal microbiota but more prominent in the partners of IP men. These changes may interfere with fertilization. |
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Keywords: | Vaginal microbiota Sexual intercourse Infertile couple Prostatitis Bacterial vaginosis Ureaplasma parvum |
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