Adverse effects of hepatitis B virus on sperm motility and fertilization ability during IVF

Abstract

The consequences of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for fertility are still unclear. Spermatozoa with decreased motility have been reported in HBV-infected patients. It has been demonstrated in vitro that HBV S protein has adverse effects on human sperm function with consequences for fertilization. In a case-control study design, 32 IVF cycles in couples with male HBV infection were compared with 64 cycles in non-infected couples, matched for age, time period, cycle rank and sperm parameters on the day of oocyte retrieval. Sperm motility before selection was significantly reduced in the HBV group (36.3 ± 11.6% versus 45.3 ± 14.4%,P = 0.003). A low fertilization rate (LFR) was more frequently observed in the HBV group (34.4% versus 15.6%, P = 0.036) and was associated with a decreased number of embryos available for transfer, although embryo quality on day 2 or 3 was not different.Implantation and pregnancy rates were comparable between groups. This study shows that HBV has a deleterious effect on sperm motility in vivo and that couples whose male partner is infected have a higher risk of LFR after IVF, a risk which is independent from the initial sperm motility.

Detection of Human Herpesviruses (HHVs) in Semen of Human Male Infertile Patients

“…Mostly, they have focused on human papillomaviruses (HPV) [14,15,16,17,18], adenoviruses (AVs) [19], hepatitis B viruses (HBV) [20], human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) [21] and JC polyomaviruses (JCV) [22]. Though there is no evidence to confirm that virus infections induce male infertility, impairment of sperm parameters has been reported in HPV [14,15,16] and in JCP [22].…”

Host genes regulate transcription of sperm-introduced hepatitis B virus genes in embryo

“…Transmission of HBV through blood transfusion [1], body fluids [2], intrauterine infection [3], cell, tissue and organ transplantation [4], and others including hemodialysis units or intravenous drug injection or occupational exposure [5,6] have been documented. In recent years some studies reported a true vertical transmission of HBV via germline and found that HBV has a negative effect on sperm motility in vivo and that couples in which the male is infected with HBV have a high risk of a low fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF) [7]. Huang et al provided direct evidence that HBV DNA is able to integrate into the chromosomes of patient sperm, and that such HBV-carrying sperm can fertilize oocytes [8].…”

“…As HBV DNA has been detected in patient sperm [7,8], donor sperm transfected with recombinant plasmid containing the fulllength HBV genome was used instead of patient sperm to explore whether host genes participate in regulation of sperm-introduced HBV gene transcription in embryos. Three measures were taken to ensure reliable and accurate results ( Fig.…”

Hepatitis B Virus S Protein Enhances Sperm Apoptosis and Reduces Sperm Fertilizing Capacity In Vitro

“…It has been demonstrated that HBV is able not only to pass through the blood-testis barrier and enter male germ cells but also integrate into their genome to cause male infertility by damaging spermatozoa [3]–[6]. Some reported that HBV has a deleterious effect on sperm motility in vivo and that the couples whose male partner is infected have a higher risk of low fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization [7]. Although viral infection can affect male fertility, to date, however, only scant information is available about the influence of HBV infection on sperm function and its exact molecular mechanisms.…”