Comparative analysis of cell culture and molecular genetic testing of semen microbiota in male infertility

The study objective is to compare the results of semen analysis using the standard cell culture method and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Materials and methods. Between 2016 and 2018, a prospective study including 143 males who applied to the Urology Clinic of the Ivanovo State Medical Academy due to infertility and for periconceptional preparation was performed. Semen was examined using cell culture method and RT-PCR. The group 1 included 54patients with leukospermia and bacteriospermia; the group 2 included 58patients without leukospermia but with bacteriospermia; the control group consisted of 31 males without leukospermia and bacteriospermia based on RT-PCR.Results. Per RT-PCR, the most frequent microorganisms in the groups 1 and 2 were Corynebacterium spp. (51.9 and 60.3 %) and Enterobacteriaceae spp./Enterococcus spp. (51.9 and 62.1 %), but there weren’t any significant differences between the groups. The range of detected microorganisms per cell culture method and RT-PCR was the same in most cases, but in 22 (15.4 %) patients RT-PCR detected Enterobacteriaceae/Enterococcus spp., which weren’t observed in cell culture. These males were prescribed bovhyaluronidase azoximer (Longidase®) 2 times a week for 1 month for anti-inflammatory therapy and to decrease leukospermia. Post-therapy control semen cultures detected microorganisms that were previously detected by RT-PCR.Conclusion. Our study demonstrates the advantages of RT-PCR compared to the standard cell culture semen analysis. RT-PCR can be recommended as a screening method. To increase the accuracy of microorganism detection, Longidase® is recommended because it promotes prostatic acini drainage