Evaluation of sperm chromatin integrity and seminal quality in HIV positive patients

Abstract

To identify the effect of HIV infection on DNA maturation process and integrity of sperm cells, as well as the degree of alteration in seminal parameters using aniline blue and acridine orange tests. Prospective, descriptive, comparative study. Twenty HIV positive male patients were included in the case group. Sperm chromatin was evaluated with acridine orange and aniline blue tests. Spermogram, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Chlamydia and syphilis detection test were performed in every patient. Results were compared with an equal size group of healthy controls. Statistical evaluation was done using t test, simple correlation and logistic regression. There was no significant difference in aniline blue and acridine orange tests results in cases group compared with controls (P>0.05). Mean test results in HIV positive patients for aniline blue was 79.1% (±22.2), for acridine orange was 52.2% (±23.3). A statistically significant direct correlation was observed between aniline blue test result and acrinidine orange test result, sperm concentration, vitality and morphology in HIV patients (Figure 1). A direct correlation was observed between acridine orange test result and sperm concentration, semen volume, vitality and motility in the same group (Figure 2). There was no correlation between HIV viral load or CD4 count with chromatin integrity test results or spermogram parameters alterations. There is no difference in sperm chromatin alterations was observed in HIV positive patients compared with healthy controls. There is no correlation of the degree of sperm chromatin or semen parameters alterations with HIV viral load or CD4 count in HIV positive patients. Analine blue and orange acridine tests results are correlated with most semen parameters results in HIV patients.