Objective: To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the incidence of male immune infertility. METHODS: Based on the levels of serum HBsAg, 3 124 infertile men were classified into an HBV-positive and an HBV-negative group and, according to the results of IBT tests, those with immune infertility were further divided into an HBV-positive and an HBV-negative group. Statistical analyses were made on the incidence rate of immune infertility and seminal parameters in the immune infertility patients of the HBV-positive and HBV-negative groups, the correlation of the number of HBV DNA copies in the serum with that in the seminal plasma of the HBV-positive patients, the association of the numbers of HBV DNA copies in the serum and seminal plasma with semen parameters, and the relationship of the number of HBV DNA copies in the seminal plasma with the incidence of immune infertility. Sperm concentration and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) were measured by computer-aided sperm analysis, sperm morphology determined by Diff-Quik staining, the level of HBsAg detected by ELISA, and the numbers of HBV DNA copies in the serum and seminal plasma calculated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The incidence rate of immune infertility was significantly higher in the HBV-positive than in the HBV-negative group (20.3 vs 3.3%, χ2 = 187.5, P <0.01), and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (MNS) was markedly lower in the HBV-positive than in the HBV-negative infertility patients (［3.9 ± 1.7］ vs ［6.3 ± 2.2］%, P <0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups of infertile males in the semen volume, sperm concentration, or PMS (P >0.05). The number of HBV DNA copies in the serum was positively correlated with that in the seminal plasma (rs = 0.86, P <0.01) while both the number of HBV DNA copies in the serum and that in the seminal plasma were negatively correlated with PMS (r = －0.233 and －0.465, P <0.01) and MNS (r = －0.250 and －0.508, P <0.01). The incidence rate of immune infertility showed no statistically significant differences among the groups with different numbers of HBV DNA copies in the seminal plasma (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS HBV infection can increase the incidence rate of immune infertility in men and is correlated with the low quality of sperm.
Hepatitis B ; complications ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count

OBJECTIVETo study the infection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-I) and the morphological characteristics of the infected spermatogenic cells in the semen of infertile men.

METHODSWe washed and concentrated the spermatogenic cells obtained from 83 semen samples of infertile men, extracted DNA and then screened HCMV and HSV-II by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was used to detect the expression of correlative virus antigens of the positive semen cells, and the cytology smear was employed to observe the morphological changes of the spermatogenic cells under the microscope after cytology staining.

RESULTSOf all the semen samples, 8 were HCMV positive, 4 HSV-II positive, but none were both HCMV and HSV-II positive. HCMV late antigens were positively and HCMV early antigens negatively expressed in the spermatogenic cells of the 8 HCMV positive cases. In the 4 HSV-II positive cases, 3 were positively and 1 weakly positively expressed. In the semen of the 12 positive cases were found large numbers of immature spermatogenic cells, with different manifestations of apoptosis, such as chromatin pycnosis, vacuoles, damaged nuclear membrane, and apoptotic bodies, but without virus infection-induced specific morphological alteration. Sperm concentration of the positive group was significantly lower than that of the negative (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSpermatogenic cells infected by HCMV and HSV-II may cause pathologic lesions and affect spermatogenesis. Morphologically, the infected spermatogenic cells may undergo some pathologic alteration, such as apoptosis. The rate of HCMV infection is higher among infertile males with pathologic cells in the semen.

Adult ; Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; pathology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Herpes Simplex ; pathology ; virology ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infertility, Male ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen ; cytology ; virology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; virology

AIMTo detect the expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genes (HB S and C genes) in early embryonic cells after introducing motile human sperm carrying HBV DNA into zona-free hamster oocytes via the in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique.

METHODSHuman sperm-mediated HBV genes were delivered into zona-free hamster oocytes by the IVF method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HB S and pre-Core/Core (pre-C/C) coding genes both in one- and two-cell embryos. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis was used to study the expression of the two genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using the full-length HBV DNA as the hybridization probe was performed to confirm the integration of viral DNA in the host embryonic genome.

RESULTSBoth HB S and pre-C/C coding genes are present and transcribed in one- and two-cell embryos originated from hamster ova IVF with human spermatozoa carrying HBV DNA sequences.

CONCLUSIONSperm-mediated HBV genes are able to replicate and express themselves in early embryonic cells. These results provide direct evidence that HBV DNA could transmit vertically to the next generation via the male germ line.

Animals ; Blastula ; virology ; Cricetinae ; DNA Primers ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mesocricetus ; Oocytes ; physiology ; Ovum ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen ; virology ; Spermatozoa ; virology ; Transfection ; Virus Replication ; Zona Pellucida ; physiology

The capability of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to be shed in semen for extended periods of time has been suggested to be a principal factor for viral transmission via insemination. In attempts to gain insights into the mechanism of PRRSV persistence in boars, tissue distribution and sites of viral infection were investigated by in situ hybridization (ISH) using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe and the ISH results were compared with those of reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). Animals were intranasally inoculated with 104 median tissue culture infectious dose of PRRSV VR-2332 and tissues collected at different times were examined. At day 7 postinfection, limited number of hybridization positive signals was observed in cells within or between seminiferous tubules in the testis sections while relatively abundant hybridization positive signals were observed in the brain stem and tracheobronchial lymph node. At later days of infection, hybridization positive signals were observed in cells within seminiferous tubules with much reduced frequency. Lack of agreement with the RT-nested PCR assay results in testis tissues obtained at days 14, 28, and 59 postinfection suggested that PRRSV infection in the testis may be extremely restricted, and may not necessarily constitute a major viral source in semen during extended periods of seminal shedding.
Animals ; Brain Stem/virology ; Endopeptidase K/metabolism ; *In Situ Hybridization ; Lymph Nodes/virology ; Male ; Microwaves ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/transmission/*virology ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/*genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA Probes ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen/virology ; Seminiferous Tubules/virology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral/transmission/veterinary/virology ; Swine/*virology ; Testis/virology

Since Zika virus has been spreading rapidly in the Americas from 2015, the outbreak of Zika virus infection becomes a global health emergency because it can cause neurological complications and adverse fetal outcome including microcephaly. Here, we report clinical manifestations and virus isolation findings from a case of Zika virus infection imported from Brazil. The patient, 43-year-old Korean man, developed fever, myalgia, eyeball pain, and maculopapular rash, but not neurological manifestations. Zika virus was isolated from his semen, and reverse-transcriptase PCR was positive for the virus in the blood, urine, and saliva on the 7th day of the illness but was negative on the 21st day. He recovered spontaneously without any neurological complications. He is the first case of Zika virus infection in Korea imported from Brazil.
Adult ; Brazil ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; RNA, Viral/analysis/blood/urine ; Republic of Korea ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saliva/virology ; Semen/virology ; Travel ; Zika Virus/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Zika Virus Infection/*diagnosis/virology

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.
Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/virology* ; COVID-19/physiopathology* ; China ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone/blood* ; Prolactin/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Semen/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Time Factors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the semen quality of the HIV/AIDS male patients after treated by the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and their potential of transmitting HIV/AIDS and provide some evidence for this cohort of males who wish for parenthood.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 20 HIV/AIDS male patients who had been treated by HAART for over 6 months and wished for parenthood. We examined sperm concentration, viability and total motility and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (MNS) using the computer-assisted semen analysis system, measured the HIV-1 RNA loads in the semen by the Cobas Amplicor Monitor test, and counted CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe patients were aged 25－40 (30.7 ± 5.05) years. After treated by HAART for 6－26 (14.24 ± 12.26) months, the count of blood CD4+ T cells was significantly increased (341－1 058 ［535.76 ± 212.021］ /μl) in comparison with the baseline (226－965 ［422.38 ± 200.86］ /μl). Compared with the normal value, the semen volume was increased except in 1 case (≥2 ml) while total sperm motility was decreased in 13 cases (≥40%), and so were sperm concentration in 2 cases (≥15 × 106 / ml), sperm viability in 5 (58%), the percentage of progressively motile sperm in 18 (≥32%), and the percentage of MNS in 6 (≤4%). HIV-1 RNA in the peripheral blood was <20 copies/mL in all the cases and that in the seminal plasma was also <20 copies/ml in 18 cases but >20 copies/mL in the other 2 (［4.70 × 101］ and ［2.2 × 102］ copies/ml, respectively). Of the 4 couples that had sex without protective measures for over 6 months, all the 4 female partners exhibited negative HIV antibodies in regular follow-up examinations and 1 achieved spontaneous pregnancy and healthy birth, with negative HIV-1 RNA in both the mother and the baby.

CONCLUSIONSThe HIV RNA level is higher in the semen than in the blood of the HIV/AIDS male patients after HAART, which indicates the potential risk of their semen transmitting HIV/AIDS to their female partners. Their sperm concentration and total sperm motility are lower than the normal value, which suggests a decreased fertility.

Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in semen on human semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity.

METHODSWe detected HBV DNA in the semen samples of 153 HBsAg-seropositive patients by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and calculated the sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay. We compared the semen parameters between the HBV DNA-positive group (A, n = 43) and HBV DNA-negative group (B, n = 110) and analyzed the correlation of sperm DFI with the number of HBV DNA copies in the semen.

RESULTSHBV DNA was detected in 43 (28.1%) of the 153 semen samples. No statistically significant differences were observed in age, semen volume and sperm concentration between groups A and B (P >0.05). Compared with group B, group A showed significantly decreased sperm viability ([58.0 +/- 18.8]% vs [51.4 +/-17.1]%, P<0.05), progressively motile sperm ([29.6 +/- 13.3]% vs [24.5 +/- 10.1]%, P<0.05), average straight-line velocity ([23.7 +/- 4.0] microm/s vs [19.9 +/- 4.5 ] microm/s, P<0.01) and average path velocity ([26.5 +/- 7.0] microm/s vs [23.4 +/- 5.3] microm/s, P<0.01), but remarkably decreased sperm DFI ([19.3 +/- 8.0]% vs [24.2 +/- 9.4]%, P<0.01). The number of HBV DNA copies in semen exhibited a significant positive correlation with sperm DFI (r = 0.819, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHBV DNA in semen is not significantly associated with the number of sperm, but may affect sperm viability, velocity and DFI. There is a load-effect relationship between the number of HBV DNA copies in semen and sperm nuclear DNA integrity.

Adult ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; virology