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Infertility and HPV in both men and women
It seems probable that even mild HPV infections and cervical dysplasia may decrease fertility simply by preventing penetration of the sperm into the cervical canal. The cervical opening is small. If it is full of white blood cells fighting HPV infection and chronic cervical inflammation, then sperm may not be able to effectively penetrate the cervical opening. If HPV is proven or even suspected in cases of infertility in a man or a woman, it would probably be helpful to support the immune system.
Recent studies also suggest that HPV infection in men can decrease sperm counts and sperm motility.
Fertil Steril 1999 Nov;72(5):814-6:
Detection of adeno-associated virus in human semen: does viral infection play a role in the pathogenesis of male infertility?
Rohde V, Erles K, Sattler HP, Derouet H, Wullich B, Schlehofer JR Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
"Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in the semen of infertile men as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of male infertility.
Design: Descriptive pilot study.
Setting: University-based diagnostic and research laboratory.
Patients: Semen specimens were collected from 30 men with diagnosed infertility and from 8 control subjects.
Intervention(s): Diagnostic spermiograms were made and the semen specimens were separated into seminal fluid, nonspermatozoal cells, and spermatozoa using a Ficoll gradient technique.
Main Outcome Measures: The presence of AAV and HPV DNA in the different fractions of the ejaculates from the infertile men and the control subjects was detected by polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Adeno-associated virus DNA was detected in 30% (9/30) of the ejaculates from the infertile men. No AAV DNA was found in the ejaculates from the 8 control subjects. Seven of 9 semen specimens that contained viral DNA also demonstrated oligoasthenozoospermia [decrease in sperm count and motility]. Both AAV and HPV DNA was found in the spermatozoal fraction of 3 of 30 specimens.
Conclusion: The data demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of AAV infection in human semen. Sperm motility seems to be affected by the presence of AAV."
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