Published on Skin Health Information (http://skin.health-info.org)
Detection of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic

CONCLUSION(S): Herpes simplex virus seems to play a significant role in male infertility, and its early detection by the nested polymerase chain reaction technique will permit successful antiviral therapy to increase the possibility for fertility restoration and long-term protection of the sperm quality. Finally, the detection of herpes viruses within semen will allow better control of the transmission of these viruses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the semen of men with fertility problems. DESIGN: A descriptive clinical study. SETTINGS: Outpatient infertility clinic of a private hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirteen men attending an infertility clinic in Athens. INTERVENTION(S): Semen samples were collected by masturbation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Detection of HSV, CMV, and EBV in semen by a nested polymerase chain reaction technique. Complete spermogram including sperm count, motility, pH, viscosity, and morphology. RESULT(S): Viral DNA was detected by the nested polymerase chain reaction technique in 64 (56.6%) of 113 semen samples. Specifically, HSV DNA was detected in 56 (49.5%) semen samples, EBV DNA in 19 (16.8%) semen samples, and CMV DNA in 8 (7.1%) semen samples. HSV was significantly related to low sperm count and poor motility. In contrast, CMV and EBV did not show any association with sperm concentration and motility.

PMID: 12801561 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Author(s): 
Nikiforos Kapranos M.D., Ph.D.Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, a, Eftichia Petrakou Ph.D.a, Cathrin Anastasiadou M.Sc.a and Dimosthenis Kotronias M.D.b
Publisher: 
Fertility and Sterility
Date Published: 
5 June 2003.

Source URL (retrieved on 11/21/2009 - 11:10): http://skin.health-info.org/content/detection-herpes-simplex-virus%2C-cytomegalovirus%2C-and-epstein-barr-virus-semen-men-attending-