Author/Authors :
Moghimi, Mansour Department of Pathology - Shahid Sadoughi Hospital - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd , Zabihi-Mahmoodabadi, Somayeh Department of Pathology - Shahid Sadoughi Hospital - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd , Kheirkhah-Vakilabad, Aliasghar Department of Internal Medicine - Shahid Sadoughi Hospital - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd , Kargar, Zahra Department of Pathology - Shahid Sadoughi Hospital - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd
Abstract :
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus that causes sexually transmitted infections (STI). Recent
reports suggest that HPV may affect sperm parameters and lead to male infertility. This study aims to evaluate the correlation
between seminal high-risk HPV infection and impairment of sperm quality in infertile Iranian men.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we collected fresh semen samples from 70 fertile men and 70
confirmed infertile men who referred to Yazd Infertility Centre in 2015. Semen analyses were performed according to
the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. High-risk HPV DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain
reaction (PCR).
Results: A total of 140 subjects participated in the current study. Among 70 confirmed infertile males, only 8 (11.43%)
cases tested positive for high-risk HPV and all fertile men were HPV-negative. This data revealed a significant association
between high-risk HPV and male infertility (P=0.03). The percentage of normal sperm morphology and sperm
motility rate significantly declined in men infected with HPV (P<0.001).
Conclusion: There was a significantly higher prevalence of high-risk HPV in infertile men than fertile men. HPV
infection seemed to be a risk factor for male infertility. Additional, larger studies should be conducted to confirm the
impact of HPV on male infertility.
