The Impact of 9-Valent HPV Vaccination on Couple Infertility Prevention: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

A comprehensive literature review was performed to determine the relationship between HPV infection and infertility and the eventual role of the 9-valent vaccine for infertility prevention. The search was extended from January 1997 through July 2021. Data collected from selected articles focused on three main topics: statistical associations between HPV prevalence and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, association between HPV and characteristics of semen, and associations between HPV and miscarriage. Articles that identified HPV genotypes were selected for this review to study the possible role of the 9-valent vaccine in infertility prevention. To date, there is no agreement on the implication HPV female infection has on the fertility and miscarriage rate. Although it can be stated that HPV prevalence among couples with infertility undergoing ART treatment is consistent, it does not seem to affect the performance of oocytes. Otherwise, HPV infection affects sperm parameters, in particular spermatozoa motility. When an association can be found, most cases of HR-HPV involved are those included in the 9-valent vaccine. The correlation between HPV male infection both with asthenozoospermia and increased risk of pregnancy loss could recommend the extension of anti-HPV vaccination to adolescent males along with cancer prevention. Despite the fact that the relation between 9-valent HPV genotypes involved in female infection and miscarriage/infertility is not clear, the impact of this virus on health reproduction is evident. Considering this, the importance of HPV vaccination in adolescent females is confirmed. A vaccine efficacy study could be useful to confirm the importance of primary prevention for couple reproductive health.

Evaluation and management of male genital tract infections in the setting of male infertility: an updated review

“…With regards to male infertility, HPV-positive semen has been significantly associated with deterioration in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DNA fragmentation index compared with HPV-negative semen [59][60][61]62 & , [63][64][65]. HPV-positive semen has also been associated with decreased pregnancy rate and increased miscarriage rate in couples undergoing ART procedures, such as in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination [61,66,67].…”

What Are the Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Male in South Korea?

“…Setting up a vaccination plan, expanding indications, and developing various indications according to the reality of Korea simply by reflecting the results of foreign countries will be challenging. In this regard, the study that the HPV vaccine increases the natural pregnancy rate in infertility or subfertility is particularly noteworthy given that Korea has entered an aging society with a low birth rate [31,32]. HPV-confirmed sperm motility decreases, resulting in a low fertility rate.…”

The effect of human papilloma virus on women reproductive system, pregnancy outcome of mothers: a review

“…If this virus becomes resistant in the body, it causes serious and very dangerous injuries, especially in people of reproductive age, because it frequently becomes anogenital with multiple malignancies, including cervical cancer. 6,7 Determination and diagnosis of HPV type is very important in the diagnosis of fertility quality. 8 Later studies show a relationship between the papilloma virus and the decrease in the quality of reproductive factors and, as a result, the failure of assisted reproductive technologies.…”