Proinflammatory and Oxidative Stress States Induced by Human Papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis Coinfection Affect Sperm Quality in Asymptomatic Infertile Men

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To investigate the effect of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) or Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and HPV + CT coinfection on sperm quality, inflammation, and the state of oxidative stress (OS) in asymptomatic infertile men. Materials and Methods: Semen samples from 84 asymptomatic military infertile men were studied. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the molecular detection of HPV and CT. Semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Inflammation was evaluated by an IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and OS by the quantification of lipid peroxidation (LPO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results: A total of 81 of the 84 (96.4%) samples were positives for the pathogens, with 55/81 (68%) being positive for HPV, 11/81 (13.5%) for CT, and 15/81 (18.5%) for HPV + CT coinfection. Seminal parameters were affected in the infected groups, including pH increases above the normal range in all groups. An abnormal sperm morphology was observed in the HPV and HPV + CT groups. Higher cytokine levels were detected in the HPV group and the highest IL-1β level was found in the HPV + CT group. No cytokines were detected in the CT group. High LPO and 8-OHdG levels were found in all groups with a lower TAC. Comparisons between groups showed the highest OS state was observed in the HPV group. Conclusions: High HPV infection or coinfection (HVP + CT) in these infertile men suggest compromising male fertility by inducing a proinflammatory state and OS. Infection with CT suggests an alteration of the state of OS by promoting an alkaline pH.

High-Risk HPV with Multiple Infections Promotes CYP2E1, Lipoperoxidation and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Semen of Asymptomatic Infertile Men

“…The results reported here are so far the highest documented in a population of asymptomatic infertile military men. The high prevalence in our study could be due to the specific population of asymptomatic infertile military patients, who may be affected by other viral or bacterial infections, as described in a few previous studies [ 5 , 6 , 25 ]. This risk factor of infections with other pathogens not detected may also contribute to dysregulation in male reproductive function and fertility, owing to obstruction or sub-obstruction, altered secretory function and the release of inflammatory mediators [ 26 ].…”

“…The non-enzymatic TAC of seminal plasma was determined by the ferric reducing of antioxidant power (FRAP) method described by Benzie [ 20 ], with minor modifications [ 5 ]. Finally, the absorbance values of blank, standards (100, 250, 500 and 1000 µM/L FeSO 4 ) and samples were estimated by a spectrophotometer at 593 nm.…”

“…LPO in seminal plasma was determined by the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, with minor modifications [ 5 , 21 ]. The supernatant was read on a spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) at 532 nm.…”

“…Male infertility is considered multifactorial with various causes, including sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as human papillomavirus (HPV) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and Chlamydia trachomatis [ 5 , 6 ], as well as chronic inflammation [ 7 ] and oxidative stress (OS) [ 7 , 8 ]. However, the mechanisms associated with these changes in infertile men have not yet been fully described.…”

“…Concerning HPV infection, our group, Pérez-Soto et al, 2021, recently demonstrated that HPV infection can increase lipoperoxidation (LPO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and even pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 in semen of infertile men [ 5 ].…”