Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis inside spermatozoa using flow cytometry: Effects of antibiotic treatment (before and after) on sperm count parameters
Another important publication in the Journal of Microbiological Methods which is a great honor for us.
A work concerning the detection of chlamydia inside spermatozoa using flow cytometry and the effect of antibiotic treatment (before and after) on spermogram parameters.
A paper concerning the detection of chlamydia inside spermatozoa using flow cytometry and the effect of antibiotic therapy (before and after) on spermiogram parameters.
The elaboration of the project was done by the research team of our center over the last two years by the authors: K. Makarounis, M. Leventopoulos, G. Georgoulias, D. Nikolopoulos, Th. Zeginiadou, M. Chountasis, P. Kotrotsos, E. Nosi, V. Gennimata, D. Venieratos, V. Protogerou, V. Tsilivakos .
The academic presentation of the project will be made by the urologist-andrologist of the team Konstantinos Makarounis at the Medical University of Athens since it is part of his doctoral dissertation. The research team led by V. Tsilivakos thank Locus Medicus for the continuous moral and financial support of their effort.
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection can directly affect male fertility. However, only few have investigated the effects of CT on semen parameters, and mostly with inconclusive results. The main aims of this study were to identify CT inside spermatozoa, and the possible pre and post antibiotic treatment effects on the overall semen parameters. We developed a flow cytometric method for the detection of CT inside spermatozoa (SPI™). Briefly, sperm cells were fixed, membrane permeabilized and DNA was loosened using DNAse. Sperm cells were incubated with a primary monoclonal antibody against CT and with a secondary fluorescent antibody (vs primary), and analysed using a flow cytometer. Of 2415 infertile individuals, 48.61% were found positive for CT. 170 CT+ samples were included in the CT antibiotic treatment study. 78.82% (134/170) of the CT+ showed a significant reduction in the percentage of the iCT infected spermatozoa after the antibiotic treatment; 59.70% (80/134) decreased to non–detectable levels. Spermcount data were also recorded. Spermatozoa morphology (normal and teratozoospermia index, TZI) and motility (fast progressive and non–progressive spermatozoa) were statistically significant altered in CT+ pre–treatment vs control group. CT antibiotic treatment showed statistically significant effects on normal spermatozoa morphology, mid–piece and tail defects, and TZI. The study demonstrated that semen flow cytometric analysis of semen could be a valuable tool for faster and accurate identification of individuals with asymptomatic CT infection. It also identified a positive effect of antibiotic therapy on semen parameters, that could help males with infertility.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106604
