Antibiotics supplemented culture media

Sir,

We would like to discuss on the previous report on “antibiotics supplemented culture media.[1] (Dissanayake et al., “Antibiotics supplemented culture media can eliminate nonspecific bacteria from human semen during sperm preparation for intrauterine insemination. J Hum Reprod Sci 2014;7:58-62.)” Dissanayake et al. noted that “penicillin streptomycin combination could eliminate nonspecific bacteria from semen samples during sperm processing in this population[1]” and also noted “the types of antibiotics and dosage used did not seem to have any harmful effects on human sperm.[1] In fact, the antibiotic is widely used in sperm preparation. However, the effect of sperm can be varied due to the method of specimen preparation.[2] This should be further assessed adding to the present protocol by Dissanayake et al.[1] For the effect of antibiotic of sperm, although many reports including to the present report show no toxicity of penicillin and streptomycin on sperm, it is well-accepted that penicillin can result in the problem in male fertility.[3] In addition, it is evidenced that streptomycin can result in abnormal sperm head morphology.[4] Therefore, long-term assessment of antibiotic effect is required.