Characterization of the semen, gut, and urine microbiota in patients with different semen abnormalities

Abstract

AbstractBackground Semen quality is decreasing worldwide, leading to increased male infertility. This study analyzed the microbiota of the gut, semen, and urine in individuals with semen abnormalities to identify potential probiotics and pathogenic bacteria that affect semen parameters and help develop new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with semen abnormalities. We recruited 12 individuals with normal semen parameters (control group), 12 with asthenospermia but no semen hyperviscosity (Group_1), 6 with oligospermia (Group_2), 9 with severe oligospermia or azoospermia (Group_3), and 14 with semen hyperviscosity only (Group_4). The semen, gut, and urine microbiota were examined by analyzing the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence using next-generation sequencing. Results The gut microbes were clustered into the highest number of operational taxonomic units, followed by urine and semen. Furthermore, the α-diversity of gut microbes was highest and significantly different from that of urine and semen microbiota. The microbiota of the gut, urine, and semen were all significantly different from each other in terms of β-diversity. At the genus level,Bifidobacterium,Blautia,Bacteroides,Faecalibacterium, andPrevotellawere predominant in the gut;Staphylococcus,Streptococcus,Prevotella,Finegoldia, andCorynebacteriumwere predominant in urine; andLactobacillus,Prevotella,Finegoldia,Staphylococcus,Streptococcus,Ureaplasma, and other unidentified bacteria were predominant in semen. β-Diversity of the gut microbiota was significantly different among the control, Group_1, and Group_3. The gut abundance ofCollinsellawas significantly reduced in groups 1, 3, and 4. Furthermore, the gut abundance ofBifidobacteriumandBlautiawas significantly decreased in Group_1, while that ofBacteroideswas significantly increased in Group_3. The abundance ofStaphylococcuswas significantly increased in the semen of groups 1 and 4. Finally,Lactobacillusabundance was significantly reduced in the urine of groups 2 and 4. Conclusions This study comprehensively describes the differences in intestinal and genitourinary tract microbiota between healthy individuals and those with abnormal semen parameters. Furthermore, our study identifiedCollinsella,Bifidobacterium,Blautia, andLactobacillusas potential probiotics. Finally, the study identifiedBacteroidesin the gut andStaphylococcusin semen as potential pathogenic bacteria. Our study lays the foundation of a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.