The Significance of Chlamydial Genital Infection in Male Infertility

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (C.tr.) is recognized as an aetiological agent in most cases of male nonspecific urethritis, post-gonococcal urethritis, and epididymitis. According to the recent view, C.tr. is considered capable of causing infertility in women, but up to date the significance of C.tr. in male infertility is unknown. According to our study, chlamydial genital infection seems to play a role in male infertility, but in lesser degree than in females. Male chlamydial infection seems to be less intense and more "distal" than female infection. The infection is apparently often quite symptomless. The incidence of genital chlamydial infection in male population evidently increases with age and promiscuity at least from the age of 20 to 30 years.