The purpose of this study was to detect the effects of
bacterial infection on human sperm nuclear
protamines and DNA fragmentation. In this study, 120 semen samples were collected from unselected male partners of couples consulting for
infertility in
infertility and obstetrics clinic. All the samples were screened bacteriologically according to World Health Organization guidelines, and also sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. The concentrations of
protamines P1 and P2 were quantified using
acid urea acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of a total number of 120 sample, 36 (30%) of them were infected with bacteria. Nine species of bacteria belonging to five genera, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Klebsiella, were identified. The comparison between infected (36) and noninfected (84) samples appeared the negative impact of
bacterial infection on sperm parameters and P1/P2 ratios. The percentages of P1/P2 ratio abnormality were significantly higher in infected patients. Sperm concentration, motility, progression and
chromatin condensation were significantly lower in infected patients (p < .010). Depending on these results, we concluded that the
bacterial infections have significant negative effects on sperm
chromatin condensation and
protamine P1/P2 ratio. Moreover, the negative relationship between the
bacterial infections and sperm parameters, such as concentration, motility and progressive motility, has been shown.