BACKGROUND<\/p>\n
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been demonstrated in the sperm of a large percentage of sexually active males and is associated with an impairment of sperm parameters, with a particular negative impact on sperm motility, suggesting a possible role in male infertility. Conventional sperm selection techniques have a low efficiency in removing HPV.<\/p>\n
METHODS<\/p>\n
Evaluation of sperm parameters, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling test to evaluate DNA fragmentation and fluorescence in situ<\/I> hybridization or immunohistochemistry for HPV were performed on semen samples from infected patients (n<\/I>= 22), control subjects (n<\/I>= 13) and on pooled control sperm samples incubated with HPV16-L1 (HPV capsid), before and after direct swim-up and modified swim-up (with added Heparinase-III). Moreover, cytofluorimetry for HPV detection was performed in pooled sperm pre- and post-incubation with HPV 16-L1 before and after direct and modified swim-up. Statistical analysis was performed with a two-tailed Student's t<\/I>-test.<\/p>\n
RESULTS<\/p>\n
Direct swim-up reduces the number of HPV-infected sperm by ~24% (P<\/I>< 0.01), while modified swim-up is able to remove completely HPV DNA both from naturally and artificially infected sperm. Enzymatic treatment with Heparinase-III tended to decrease sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity but the effects were not significant.<\/p>\n
CONCLUSIONS<\/p>\n
This study shows that Heparinase-III treatment seems not to affect spermatozoa in vitro<\/I> and suggests that this treatment should be investigated further as a means of preparing sperm from patients who are infected with HPV in order to reduce the risk of HPV infection when using assisted reproduction techniques.<\/p>\n
Source: BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been demonstrated in the sperm of a large percentage of sexually active males and is associated with an impairment of sperm parameters, with a particular negative impact on sperm motility, suggesting a possible role … Continue reading
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