<p>Background: <em>Candida</em> spp. causes semen candidiasis, the most important sexually transmitted fungal infection; this microorganism affects male fertility potential and could alter oocyte fertilization. The <em>in vitro</em> effects of the yeasts <em>Candida albicans</em> and <em>Candida glabrata</em> and their soluble factors of fungal metabolism on semen quality were studied.&nbsp;<br /> Methods: <em>Candida</em> strains (2, 0.5 and 0.05 McF) and their soluble factors were incubated for 3 <em>hr</em> with selected spermatozoa. Conventional (Viability and motility) and functional parameters (Mitochondrial membrane potential, membrane integrity, detection of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation) were quantified in 35 semen samples. In addition, human spermatozoa were incubated under capacitating conditions with <em>Candida</em> spp. and soluble factors. Finally, spermatozoa were incubated with mannose before incubation with either yeast to block sperm and yeast interaction. Data was analyzed using Friedman test, and p&lt;0.05 was considered significant.<br /> Results: The conventional sperm parameters were statistically affected by the two yeast strains after 3 <em>hr</em> and their effect was maintained until the 24 <em>hr</em> incubation. However, the functional parameters were altered, this change was not statistically significant. Pretreatment of spermatozoa with mannose decreased the effect of <em>Candida </em>spp.&nbsp;<br /> Conclusion: The presence of <em>C. albicans</em> or <em>C. glabrata</em> affects seminal parameters. The effect is related to incubation time and yeast concentration, it can be supposed that the yeast sperm interaction is mediated through the mannose sperm receptor.</p>