A new study shows that while some bacteria in the human body is helpful when it comes to digestion, others may actually increase the risk of disease.
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia specifically discovered that the male reproductive system may be responsible for prostatitis, a precursor for prostate cancer and, later, other health disorders in offspring.
"Microbiomes are influenced by many factors such as temperature, the pH or acidity of the environment and whether there's a food source to promote bacterial growth," said Cheryl Rosenfeld, an associate professor of biomedical sciences in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and an investigator in the Bond Life Sciences Center. "The male reproductive tract includes a unique niche in which bacteria thrive, i.e. the seminal vesicles. These tubular glands produce seminal fluid, are located in an environment that is temperature controlled and is rich in carbohydrates needed to feed bacteria. Our team set out to isolate this potential microbiome and analyze whether it could harbor harmful bacteria."
During this recent study, researchers collected and isolated seminal fluid and vesicles from male mice. Then, they sequenced DNA of bacteria located in the reproductive organs and fluid.
"The data showed that the bacterial composition found in the male reproductive tract contained potentially detrimental bacteria that can be transmitted to female reproductive partners and offspring," Rosenfeld said. "The bacteria also could be the causative agent of chronic prostatitis, a possible precursor to prostate cancer in males. Additionally, further testing showed this bacterial community contains the bacteria that may cause obesity in rats. Understanding how these genetic and environmental factors influence this particular microbiome could help in understanding how possible developmental disorders and diseases are passed down by fathers to their offspring."
Statistics from the American Cancer society suggest that as many as one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer mainly develops in older men, with close to six in 10 cases developing in men 65 and older. Though rare, prostate cancer can occur in men younger than 40.
The study, "Discovery of a Novel Seminal Fluid Microbiome and Influence of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Genetic Status," was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
