Significant Correlation between High-Risk HPV DNA in Semen and Impairment of Sperm Quality in Infertile Men

Objective Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus that causes sexually transmitted infection (STI). Recent reports have suggested that HPV may affect sperm parameters and lead to male infertility. This study is aimed to evaluate the correlation between seminal high-risk HPV infection and impairment of sperm quality in Iranian infertile men. MaterialsAndMethods Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, fresh semen samples of 70 fertile men and 70 confirmed infertile men, referred to Yazd infertility center in 2015, were collected. Semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. High-risk HPV DNA was detected by real-time PCR method. Results: A total of 140 subjects were participated in the current study. Among 70 confirmed infertile males, only 8 cases were positive for high-risk HPV (11.43℅) and all fertile men were HPV-negative. This data revealed a significant association between high-risk HPV and male infertility (p=0.03). Percentage of normal sperm morphology and sperm motility rate were significantly declined in men infected with HPV (