Microbiology Research Journal International

Background: Infertility outcomes may be associated with the infections that would lead to morphological defects of spermatozoa in vitro. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 2621 (L. plantarum) on adherence of sperm agglutinating Escherichia coli (E. coli) in vitro and in vivo as well as its effect on fertility outcome.

Materials and Methods: Interference of E. coli adherence to vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) by L. plantarum was studied by carrying out different assays such as exclusion, competition and displacement. Further, in vivo study was carried out in mouse model to evaluate the effect of presence of L. plantarum against E. coli and its effect on fertility outcome by administering intravaginally at one hour interval between L. plantarum (10⁸c.f.u./20µl) and different concentrations of E. coli (10²,10⁴, and 10⁶ c.f.u/20 µl) for ten consecutive days.

Results: 116•8 bacteria/VEC adhesion levels were observed for L. plantarum 2621 whereas values for E. coli were 60•5 bacteria/VEC. L. plantarum interfered to different extents with the adherence of E. coli. L. plantarum 2621 decreased the adhesion by displacement and competition in a significant level (90.3% and 68.5% of inhibition). L. plantarum 2621 also excluded the E. coli attached to VEC (25.8% of inhibition).Upon mating and completion of gestation period 100% fertility was observed with 10⁸c.f.u./20µl L. plantarum and 10² c.f.u/20µl E. coli, whereas 100% females were infertile when administered with 10⁶ c.f.u/20µl of E. coli alongwith 10⁸c.f.u./20µl L. plantarum and only 50% fertility outcome was observed with 10⁴ c.f.u/20µl E. coli.

Conclusion: Results indicated that L. plantarum displaces colonization of E. coli and endows competition that resulted in reinforcement of natural microflora and affects fertility outcome depending on the presence and count of E. coli.