Mycoplasma spermatophilum is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. This genus of bacteria lacks a cell wall around their cell membrane. Without a cell wall, they are unaffected by many common antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered, can survive without oxygen and are typically about 0. 1 μm in diameter.
This mycoplasma species was originally isolated from human spermatozoa and a human cervix. It has been rare in humans because it was recovered from only 1 to 2% of the samples examined in two surveys. These initial samples were collected at a fertility clinic where it was noted that either eggs did not become fertilized with infected sperm or fertilized eggs did not implant in in-vitro fertilization procedures. The genome of this species has been partially sequenced.
The type strain is AH159 = ATCC 49695 = CIP 105549 = NCTC 11720.
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