Background. HPV is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection. The human papillomaviruses (HPV) are sexually transmitted viruses and etiological agents of several human cancers common among men and women worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that HPV infection may affect fertility. In men, HPV infection can affect sperm parameters, specifically concentration and motility.
The objectives of the study were to investigate HPV prevalence in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and association with sperm quality in husbands of women undergoing IVF.
Material and methods. A total of 100 samples were collected from couples - 50 semen samples from males and 50 cervical swabs from females. All samples were tested for HPV DNA using real time PCR. The Amplisens HPV High risk genotype PCR kit detects DNA of the 14 HPV high-risk types in sperm samples. All semen samples of subjects were collected by masturbation after 3-4 days of abstinence. Semen parameters were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines. Sperm samples were assessed in A Makler counting chamber at a magnification *200.
Results. Overall, 36% (18/50) of the couples was HPV-positive. Of these, HPV infection was detected in 22% of the examined women (11/50) and 20% (10/50) among the studied men. Basic seminal parameters
were analyzed. The volume of patients’ semen ranges between 0.5 and 5 mL (an average was 2.5 mL). Sperm samples positive for HPV high risk types were associated with abnormal concentration and motility. HPV infection affected about 80% of men with abnormal semen analysis result and 65% of men with normal sperm analysis results were HPV negative. Men with abnormal sperm sample had significantly higher rates of high risk semen HPV infection (p<0.05).
Conclusions. This study reveals a significant association between HPV-positive semen and sperm quality. HPV infected sperm samples were associated with abnormal sperm count and motility. HPV seminal infections could play an important role in male infertility. These results deserve further attention and additional studies should be conducted with larger cohorts.
