Male Partners of Infertile Couples with Seminal Infections of Human Papillomavirus Have Impaired Fertility Parameters.

Marcia E L Consolaro,Edilson Damke,Valério A Balani,Fabrícia Gimenes,Mary M T Irie,Karen I Takeda,Fábio A Kurscheidt

doi:10.1155/2017/4684629

Marcia E L Consolaro, Edilson Damke + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4684629

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Abstract

Several studies have addressed the impact of viral infections on male infertility. However, it is still unknown whether human papillomavirus (HPV) can alter seminal parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in the semen of male partners of couples seeking fertility evaluation. Additionally, we assessed the possibility that HPV infections affect seminal parameters. A total of 229 semen samples were collected from men in the Sperm Analysis Section of São Camilo Laboratory of Maringá, Brazil, between October 2015 and March 2016. Basic seminal parameters were analyzed, and HPV was detected and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction. HPV DNA was detected in 16.6% of samples. Of these, 10.5% had single type HPV infections, 6.1% had multiple HPV infections, 5.7% had exclusively high-risk HPV, and 6.1% had exclusively low-risk HPV. Samples positive for single and multiple types of HPV were associated with abnormal viscosity, and samples positive for multiple HPV types were also associated with hypospermia, higher pH, and increased leukocyte numbers. These findings suggest that the male partners of infertile couples with seminal HPV infections may have prostate disturbances indicative of glandular dysfunction, which may influence fertility.

Highlights

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted diseases in both males and females worldwide [1]
Our data revealed significant associations between HPV-positive semen samples and hypospermia, abnormal seminal viscosity, higher mean pH, and higher mean number of leukocytes, in semen samples positive for HPV multiple infections. These results indicate that HPVpositive infections in the semen of male partners of couples seeking fertility evaluation may have altered proportions of fluid secreted by the major sexual accessory organs, the prostate, and the seminal vesicles
HPV seminal infections appear to lead to changes in prostate markers that are indicative of glandular dysfunction, which may influence fertility

Summary

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted diseases in both males and females worldwide [1]. In males infected with HPV, the virus can be found in the anal region, perineum, scrotum, glans, penile shaft, and urethra [2, 3] and in the reproductive system (testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens) [4, 5]. The presence of HPV in semen has been documented previously [6,7,8]. Once it became established that the virus is primarily transmitted through direct epithelial contact [8], little attention was paid to the presence of HPV in semen

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