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Rachel V Thomas

Bacterial Imbalance In Semen Linked To Male Infertility, Pregnancy Loss: The Lancet

Amid rising global <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/infertility">infertility</a></span> rates, a new study has found that an imbalance in the bacteria present in men's semen may reduce a couple's chances of having a baby and increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Researchers also found that the composition of women's <span>gut bacteria</span> may influence fertility outcomes. 

The study, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology &amp; Women's Health, found these associations were particularly evident among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as those with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss. 

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, said the findings point to "imbalances in men's semen and in women's gut bacteria as previously overlooked and potentially treatable risk factors for infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss." 

Although the vaginal microbiome has been studied extensively in relation to fertility, the gut and seminal microbiomes have been largely overlooked. 

“Incorporation of couple-level microbial assessment might represent a novel approach for targeted therapeutic strategies,” the team said. 

The researchers followed 353 women and 191 of their male partners between April 2018 and September 2023. All participants were heterosexual couples undergoing fertility treatment or had experienced recurrent pregnancy loss. 

They analyzed bacterial communities in the women's gut and vagina and in the men's semen before tracking pregnancies and birth outcomes. About one in four men had an unhealthy <span>bacterial imbalance</span>, known as dysbiosis, in their semen. 

<ul><li>57% of couples in which the male partner had semen dysbiosis had a live birth. </li></ul><ul><li>In comparison, 85% of couples without the imbalance went on to have a baby. </li></ul><ul><li>Pregnancy loss was also more common when the male partner had semen dysbiosis, affecting roughly one in five more couples than those without the imbalance. </li></ul>

The researchers also noted that standard semen analysis cannot detect this bacterial imbalance, meaning a man's test results may appear normal even when dysbiosis is present. 

<h2>Women's Gut Bacteria Also Affected Fertility </h2>

The study found that an imbalance in women's gut bacteria was associated with: 

<ul><li>A lower likelihood of becoming pregnant through fertility treatment. </li></ul><ul><li>A longer time to conceive. </li></ul>

However, gut bacterial imbalance was not associated with miscarriage, while an imbalance in vaginal bacteria showed no clear link with either infertility or pregnancy loss. 

According to the researchers, assessing the microbiome in both men and women could improve infertility evaluation and help identify previously overlooked, potentially treatable factors affecting fertility. 

They added that, if confirmed in larger studies, therapies aimed at restoring healthy bacterial balance in semen and the gut could improve fertility outcomes and reduce recurrent pregnancy loss. 

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in six people globally experience infertility during their lifetime. The condition can cause significant emotional distress, social stigma and financial hardship, with far-reaching effects on mental and psychosocial well-being. 

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Amid rising global infertility rates, a new study has found that an imbalance in the bacteria present in men's semen may reduce a couple's chances of having a baby and increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Researchers also found that the composition of women's gut bacteria may influence fertility outcomes. The study, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, found these associations were particularly evident among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as those with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, said the findings point to "imbalances in men's semen and in women's gut bacteria as previously overlooked and potentially treatable risk factors for infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss." Although the vaginal microbiome has been studied extensively in relation to fertility, the gut and seminal microbiomes have been largely overlooked. “Incorporation of couple-level microbial assessment might represent a novel approach for targeted therapeutic strategies,” the team said. Key Findings The researchers followed 353 women and 191 of their male partners between April 2018 and September 2023. All participants were heterosexual couples undergoing fertility treatment or had experienced recurrent pregnancy loss. They analyzed bacterial communities in the women's gut and vagina and in the men's semen before tracking pregnancies and birth outcomes. About one in four men had an unhealthy bacterial imbalance, known as dysbiosis, in their semen. Among couples undergoing IVF or ICSI: 57% of couples in which the male partner had semen dysbiosis had a live birth. In comparison, 85% of couples without the imbalance went on to have a baby. Pregnancy loss was also more common when the male partner had semen dysbiosis, affecting roughly one in five more couples than those without the imbalance. The researchers also noted that standard semen analysis cannot detect this bacterial imbalance, meaning a man's test results may appear normal even when dysbiosis is present. Women's Gut Bacteria Also Affected Fertility The study found that an imbalance in women's gut bacteria was associated with: A lower likelihood of becoming pregnant through fertility treatment. A longer time to conceive. However, gut bacterial imbalance was not associated with miscarriage, while an imbalance in vaginal bacteria showed no clear link with either infertility or pregnancy loss. What the Findings Mean According to the researchers, assessing the microbiome in both men and women could improve infertility evaluation and help identify previously overlooked, potentially treatable factors affecting fertility. They added that, if confirmed in larger studies, therapies aimed at restoring healthy bacterial balance in semen and the gut could improve fertility outcomes and reduce recurrent pregnancy loss. What Is Infertility? Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in six people globally experience infertility during their lifetime. The condition can cause significant emotional distress, social stigma and financial hardship, with far-reaching effects on mental and psychosocial well-being. 

bacterial imbalance in semen linked to male infertility, pregnancy loss: the lancet

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