Seminal Plasma Biochemical Markers and Microbial Infections: Diagnostic and Pathophysiological Insights into Male Infertility

Abstract

Male infertility is a multifactorial condition, with an increasing body of evidencehighlighting the pivotal role of seminal plasma biochemical markers and microbialinfections in its pathogenesis and diagnosis. Seminal plasma, a complex fluid enrichedwith proteins, enzymes, antioxidants, and metabolites, reflects the functional statusof the male reproductive tract. Alterations in its biochemical composition, such asdecreased antioxidant capacity, disrupted energy metabolism, and elevated inflammatorymediators, are frequently associated with impaired sperm function. Concurrently,microbial infections, including those caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Escherichiacoli, can adversely affect seminal parameters through direct sperm damage, oxidativestress, and inflammatory responses. Emerging evidence suggests intricate interactionsbetween infections and the biochemical milieu in seminal plasma, which mayexacerbate sperm dysfunction and compromise fertility. This review synthesizescurrent knowledge on key seminal plasma biomarkers and their diagnostic utility andelucidates the pathophysiological mechanisms linking microbial infections to maleinfertility. Understanding these interconnected pathways offers novel insights into malereproductive health and may facilitate the development of more targeted diagnostic andtreatment strategies in the context of infertility.