en باکتری شناسی پزشکی Medical Bacteriology مقاله پژوهشی Original Research Article <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="background:#1f497d"><span style="color:white"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Background and Aim:</span></span></span></b><span style="color:black"> </span>Infertility is an increasing problem worldwide, and earlier bacterial infections are unrecognized but potentially modifiable risk factors. Their impact on sperm health must be understood to create targeted therapies. This study aimed to investigate the role of bacterial infection in male infertility.<br> <b><span style="background:#1f497d"><span style="color:white"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Materials and Methods:</span></span></span></b><span style="color:black"> </span>Seminal fluid samples were obtained from 64 male individuals who attended the Infertility and IVF Treatment Center in Al-Kafeel Hospital, Karbala. All samples were assessed for the sperm parameters, its DNA fragmentation, and bacterial infection.<span style="color:black"> </span><br> <b><span style="background:#1f497d"><span style="color:white"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Results:</span></span></span></b><span style="color:black"> </span>Among 64 infertile men, 31 (48%) had positive bacterial culture of various species. The highest percentage&ensp;was among Gram-positive bacteria (51.6%). Sperm progressive motility and morphology showed a significant association with bacterial infection (<i>P</i><0.05). Furthermore, a substantial risk of sperm DNA fragmentation was seen in contaminated semen samples. According to the analysis of the effect of each bacterial species on sperm characteristics, the results showed that <i>Enterobacter spp</i>. had the greatest effect on sperm immobilization, while coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococcus</i> (CoNS) showed a high rate of abnormal morphology and DNA fragmentation, indicating their severe impact on sperm morphology and DNA.<br> <b><span style="background:#1f497d"><span style="color:white"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Conclusion:</span></span></span></b><span style="color:black"> </span>These findings underscore the need for early detection and targeted antimicrobial strategies to reduce the adverse effects of infections on male reproductive health and fertility. Further investigation is necessary to explore the potential treatment options and improve the reproductive outcomes in affected individuals.</span></span></p> Bacterial Infection, DNA Fragmentation, Male Infertility, Sperm Quality 96 106 http://ijmm.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2777-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Huda N. AL-baroody huda.najh@uokerbala.edu.iq 100319475328460031752 100319475328460031752 Yes Department of Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq Ali Ibrahim Rahim aliir.abbas@uokufa.edu.iq 100319475328460031753 100319475328460031753 No Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najef, Iraq Etab Abdul-Ameer AL-Ogla Etab.a@uokerbala.edu.iq 100319475328460031754 0009-0000-9085-0356 No Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq Thulfiqar Ibrahim Rahim thu.urologist84@gmail.com 100319475328460031755 100319475328460031755 No Department of Urology, Iraqi Board of Medical Specializations, Al-Sadr Medical City, Najaf, Iraq