News | How Does HPV Infection Affect Male Fertility? Latest Research Reveals the Role of Oxidative Stress
In a study recently published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, researchers investigated the impact of high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infections on male fertility, particularly the relationship between sperm quality, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the male urogenital tract.
Background
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection closely associated with cervical cancer in women. Based on its association with malignant tumors or benign genital warts, HPV is classified into high-risk types (HR-HPV) and low-risk types (LR-HPV). Although research on HPV in men is limited, recent studies have shown that its infection rate in men and its potential impact on reproductive health cannot be ignored. HPV DNA has been detected in various male genital tract specimens, but its effects on sperm quality and seminal inflammation remain unclear.
Study Overview
This cross-sectional study recruited 205 adult men, all participants aged over 18 years, who visited urology and andrology outpatient clinics for semen analysis between 2018 and 2021. These patients either underwent initial fertility evaluation due to lower urinary tract symptoms or received routine examinations. The study excluded men who had previously received HPV vaccination, undergone vasectomy, had azoospermia, had significant varicocele, been exposed to environmental pollutants, had a history of alcohol consumption or drug use, or had recent fever or antibiotic treatment.
Participants were divided into three groups: a control group (uninfected with uropathogens and without leukocytospermia), a low-risk HPV infection group (positive for low oncogenic risk HPV genotypes), and a high-risk HPV infection group (positive for high oncogenic risk HPV genotypes). All semen samples were analyzed within one hour of collection. HPV and other uropathogens were detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and HPV genotyping was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technology.
Study Results
Among the 205 participants, the median age was 35 years, and 19% tested positive for HPV, indicating a relatively high infection rate. Of the 39 HPV-positive cases, HPV genotyping was successfully completed in 27 cases, with results showing that single HPV genotype infection predominated, while the proportion of multiple infections was low. Among these, HPV-16 was the most common high-risk HPV type, accounting for 59.2%.
Although conventional semen parameters showed no significant differences between the control group and patients infected with HR-HPV or LR-HPV, HR-HPV infection was associated with increased sperm necrosis and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, indicating oxidative stress in these patients. Unexpectedly, HR-HPV infection also led to decreased white blood cell counts and levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and IL-1 beta) in semen, exhibiting a local immunosuppressive environment.
The study also examined the role of co-infection with other uropathogens in HR-HPV-positive patients. Although co-infection had no significant impact on conventional semen quality parameters, it exacerbated sperm necrosis and ROS production. However, seminal inflammation remained low, with lower levels of CD45+ leukocytes observed in co-infected individuals.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant prevalence of HR-HPV genotypes, particularly HPV-16. Although conventional semen parameters were unaffected, HR-HPV was associated with increased sperm necrosis, elevated ROS levels, and reduced inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a local immunosuppressive environment. These findings indicate that identifying HPV genotypes in men is crucial, as HR-HPV may interfere with immune responses, affect reproductive health, and potentially even promote viral persistence and transmission.
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Collected from the internet
Author LinkedIVF TeamPublished 2024-08-28
This article used AI assistance; LinkedIVF has not recorded an editorial review for this item. It is not medical advice.
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News | How Does HPV Affect Male Fertility? New Research Highlights Oxidative Stress
News | How Does HPV Infection Affect Male Fertility? Latest Research Reveals the Role of Oxidative Stress
In a study recently published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, researchers investigated the impact of high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infections on male fertility, particularly the relationship between sperm quality, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the male urogenital tract.
Background
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection closely associated with cervical cancer in women. Based on its association with malignant tumors or benign genital warts, HPV is classified into high-risk types (HR-HPV) and low-risk types (LR-HPV). Although research on HPV in men is limited, recent studies have shown that its infection rate in men and its potential impact on reproductive health cannot be ignored. HPV DNA has been detected in various male genital tract specimens, but its effects on sperm quality and seminal inflammation remain unclear.
Study Overview
This cross-sectional study recruited 205 adult men, all participants aged over 18 years, who visited urology and andrology outpatient clinics for semen analysis between 2018 and 2021. These patients either underwent initial fertility evaluation due to lower urinary tract symptoms or received routine examinations. The study excluded men who had previously received HPV vaccination, undergone vasectomy, had azoospermia, had significant varicocele, been exposed to environmental pollutants, had a history of alcohol consumption or drug use, or had recent fever or antibiotic treatment.
Participants were divided into three groups: a control group (uninfected with uropathogens and without leukocytospermia), a low-risk HPV infection group (positive for low oncogenic risk HPV genotypes), and a high-risk HPV infection group (positive for high oncogenic risk HPV genotypes). All semen samples were analyzed within one hour of collection. HPV and other uropathogens were detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and HPV genotyping was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technology.
Study Results
Among the 205 participants, the median age was 35 years, and 19% tested positive for HPV, indicating a relatively high infection rate. Of the 39 HPV-positive cases, HPV genotyping was successfully completed in 27 cases, with results showing that single HPV genotype infection predominated, while the proportion of multiple infections was low. Among these, HPV-16 was the most common high-risk HPV type, accounting for 59.2%.
Although conventional semen parameters showed no significant differences between the control group and patients infected with HR-HPV or LR-HPV, HR-HPV infection was associated with increased sperm necrosis and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, indicating oxidative stress in these patients. Unexpectedly, HR-HPV infection also led to decreased white blood cell counts and levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and IL-1 beta) in semen, exhibiting a local immunosuppressive environment.
The study also examined the role of co-infection with other uropathogens in HR-HPV-positive patients. Although co-infection had no significant impact on conventional semen quality parameters, it exacerbated sperm necrosis and ROS production. However, seminal inflammation remained low, with lower levels of CD45+ leukocytes observed in co-infected individuals.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant prevalence of HR-HPV genotypes, particularly HPV-16. Although conventional semen parameters were unaffected, HR-HPV was associated with increased sperm necrosis, elevated ROS levels, and reduced inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a local immunosuppressive environment. These findings indicate that identifying HPV genotypes in men is crucial, as HR-HPV may interfere with immune responses, affect reproductive health, and potentially even promote viral persistence and transmission.
Story Source:
Collected from the internet