HPV's High-Risk Variant Tied to Fertility Issues in Men

A recent study suggests that men infected with the high-risk form of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) have higher amounts of dead sperm, potentially impairing their fertility. Researchers from Argentina revealed that oxidative stress and reduced immune response are key factors contributing to these findings.

Men infected with the high-risk form of HPV, a virus linked to cervical cancer, may face fertility issues due to an increased amount of dead sperm, a new study has found.

The study, published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, focused on the semen quality of 205 adult men, 39 of whom tested positive for HPV. Researchers from Argentina noted that the high-risk variant of HPV was linked to a lower count of CD45+ white blood cells, crucial for fighting infection.

Virginia Rivero, a study co-author, stated that this lowered immune cell count is due to HPV's ability to counter immune responses, impairing the body's capability to clear the infection. Additionally, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in men with high-risk HPV cause oxidative stress and subsequent sperm cell death, further affecting fertility.

(With inputs from agencies.)