Detection of adeno-associated virus in human semen: does viral infection play a role in the pathogenesis of male infertility?

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA a nd/or human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in the semen of infertile men as a pos sible factor in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Design: Descriptive pilot study. Setting: University-based diagnostic and research laboratory. Patient(s): Semen specimens were collected from 30 men with diagnosed infer tility and from 8 control subjects. Intervention(s): Diagnostic spermiograms were made and the semen specimens were separated into seminal fluid, nonspermatozoal cells, and spermatozoa u sing a Ficoll gradient technique. Main Outcome Measure(s): The presence of AAV and HPV DNA in the different f ractions of the ejaculates from the infertile men and the control subjects was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Semen quality was analyzed accor ding to World Health Organization guidelines. Result(s): Adeno-associated virus DNA was detected in 30% (9/30) of the eja culates from the infertile men. No AAV DNA was found in the ejaculates from the 8 control subjects. In 8 of 9 samples, AAV DNA could be found only in the spermatozoal fraction of the specimen. Seven of 9 semen specimens that contained viral DNA also demonstrated oligoasthenozoospermia. Both AAV and HPV DNA was found in the spermatozoal fraction of 3 of 30 specimens. Conclusion(s): The data demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of AA V infection in human semen. Sperm motility seems to be affected by the pres ence of AAV. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;72:814-6. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).