Abstract | 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 in male infertility. Conventional sperm selection techniques have a low efficiency in removing HPV. METHODS: Evaluation of sperm parameters, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling test to evaluate DNA fragmentation and fluorescence in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry for HPV were performed on semen samples from infected patients (n= 22), control subjects (n= 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-test. RESULTS: Direct swim-up reduces the number of HPV-infected sperm by ~24% (P< 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. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Heparinase-III treatment seems not to affect spermatozoa in vitro 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.
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Authors | Andrea Garolla, Andrea Lenzi, Giorgio Palù, Damiano Pizzol, Alessandro Bertoldo, Luca De Toni, Carlo Foresta |
Journal | Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
(Hum Reprod)
Vol. 27
Issue 4
Pg. 967-73
(Apr 2012)
ISSN: 1460-2350 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 22313870
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- DNA, Viral
- Polysaccharide-Lyases
- heparitinsulfate lyase
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(pharmacology)
- DNA, Viral
(drug effects)
- Female
- Fertilization in Vitro
(adverse effects, methods)
- Human papillomavirus 16
(drug effects, genetics, isolation & purification)
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- In Situ Nick-End Labeling
- Male
- Papillomavirus Infections
(prevention & control, transmission)
- Polysaccharide-Lyases
(adverse effects, pharmacology)
- Semen Analysis
- Spermatozoa
(drug effects, virology)
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