DAILY STAR
Men are becoming less fertile and it turns out there could be a big reason why.
You may have come across something known as the gut microbiome, or skin microbiome, but there’s also a semen microbiome. And it could have an impact on your fertility.
The new finding has come about thanks to a new study carried out by the department of urology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Microbiome is used to refer to the collection of microbes – bacteria, fungi and viruses – that impact human health.
Even though there have been many studies into the microbiomes found in the digestive system and on the skin, little focus has been placed on reproductive systems, especially in men. But the UCLA team discovered that one microbe in particular, the bacteria Lactobacillus iners, can directly influence sperm motility, which affects fertility.
The microbe is more commonly known as the cause of bacterial vaginosis in women, and is a bacteria commonly found in the female genital microbiome. The study, which was published in Scientific Reports, wasn’t able to point out the exact link, but other research has revealed Lactobacillus iners can produce L-lactic acid (the less common form of lactic acid).
This can result in localized inflammation, and can have an impact on sperm motility.
As well as this, the researchers also noted three types of bacteria from the Pseudomonas group – a very common bacteria – were traced in patients who had both normal and abnormal sperm concentrations. Meanwhile, microbes called Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas stutzeri, were found to be present in more patients who had abnormal sperm concentrations.
