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Common Infections pp 267–281Cite as

The effects of lower urinary tract and reproductive organ infections on male infertility

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Part of the book series: Infections in Reproductive Health ((IRHC,volume 1))

Abstract

Infectious and inflammatory processes involving the male lower urinary tract and reproductive organs are common. The impact of these infections on male fertility remains controversial and clarification of their significance will depend on further research. Nonetheless, the relationship between infection and fertility is recognized as complex and multifaceted. Theoretically, infections in males may affect reproductive physiology by (1) having a direct and deleterious effect upon sperm function, (2) causing secretory dysfunction of the male accessory sex glands which then may indirectly affect sperm function, (3) causing inflammation and subsequent sclerosis in tissues which form or transport sperm, and (4) causing dysfunctional immunological responses detrimental to fertility.

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Authors
  1. F. A. DeTure
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Louis G. Keith MD, FACOG (Professor, Attending Obstetrician-Gynecologist) (Professor, Attending Obstetrician-Gynecologist)

  2. The Prentice Women’s Hospital and Medical Center of Northwestern, Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Louis G. Keith MD, FACOG (Professor, Attending Obstetrician-Gynecologist) (Professor, Attending Obstetrician-Gynecologist)

  3. Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    Gary S. Berger MD, MSPH, FACOG (Director, Chapel Hill Fertility Services, and Adjunct Associate Professor) (Director, Chapel Hill Fertility Services, and Adjunct Associate Professor)

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© 1985 MTP Press Limited

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DeTure, F.A. (1985). The effects of lower urinary tract and reproductive organ infections on male infertility. In: Keith, L.G., Berger, G.S. (eds) Common Infections. Infections in Reproductive Health, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4878-5_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4878-5_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8659-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4878-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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