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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on August 26, 2005
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dei269
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.
Received April 10, 2005
Revised June 3, 2005
Accepted July 14, 2005

Article

Experimental Chlamydia trachomatis infection causes apoptosis in human sperm

Aldo E.Calogero 1*, Annalisa Satta 1, Aldo Stivala 2, Adriana Garozzo 2, Angela Morello 2, Anna Perdichizzi 1, Enzo Vicari 1, and Mario Salmeri 2

1 Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine and Master in Andrological and Human Reproduction Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
2 Deparment of Microbiological and Gynaecological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Aldo E.Calogero, E-mail: acaloger{at}unict.it


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for a widespread sexually transmitted infection. In men, it is associated with a wide clinical spectrum causing infertility. Furthermore, C. trachomatis serovar E infection decreases motility and increases the number of non-viable sperm. No other effects of C. trachomatis have been reported on sperm despite the crucial role of DNA integrity for sperm function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of C. trachomatis on sperm apoptosis. METHODS: Sperm from eight normozoospermic men were incubated with increasing concentrations of C. trachomatis serovar E elementary bodies (EB) for 6 and 24 h. Sperm were then collected to evaluate phosphatidylserine (PS) membrane translocation and DNA fragmentation by Annexin V-propidium iodide staining, TUNEL assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: After 6 h of incubation, C. trachomatis had no effect on the percentage of sperm showing PS externalization. However, a significant effect on this parameter was observed after 24 h. C. trachomatis also significantly increased the number of sperm with DNA fragmentation both after 6 and 24 h of incubation. CONCLUSIONS: C. trachomatis causes sperm PS externalization and DNA fragmentation. These effects may explain the negative direct impact of C. trachomatis infection on sperm fertilizing ability.

Keywords: aproptesis/chlamydia trachomatis; DNA fragmentation/human sperm/phosphatidylserine membrane translocation.
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