Cross SectionalHumann = 80 semen samples2026Greece
Decoding the seminal microbial fingerprint and semen quality: insights from the first Greek pilot study.
Plain-language summary
This study set out to explore whether the mix of bacteria in semen differs between men with normal and abnormal sperm counts. Researchers analyzed semen samples from 80 Greek men, comparing those with healthy sperm to those with low sperm count or poor motility, using advanced sequencing to identify bacteria. They found clear differences in bacterial communities between the groups, with certain bacteria more common in men with poor semen quality. The study also noted no detectable fungi in any semen samples, suggesting fungi may not normally be present.
Key findings
- Normal sperm semen samples were dominated by Bacillota (64.13%).
- Abnormal semen samples showed reduced Bacillota (2.32%) and increased Campylobacteriota (10.82%).
- Enterococcus faecalis was the dominant species in normal sperm samples (41.3%).
- Campylobacter ureolyticus predominated in abnormal semen samples (49.6%).
- No fungal DNA was detected in any semen sample.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Cross-sectional studies are good for identifying associations at a single point in time but cannot establish cause and effect.
- Population
- The study included 80 men, divided into normal sperm (48) and abnormal semen groups (32), the latter including men with low sperm count or poor movement.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Watch for
- This study found that men with healthy sperm had different semen bacteria than those with poor sperm counts or motility, with certain bacteria linked to better semen quality. If you are concerned about fertility, it may be worth discussing microbiome health with your doctor, though more research is needed to understand the connection.