In a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, researchers found a possible link between high-risk HPV infections in men and increased levels of sperm death. The study, led by Dr. Virginia Rivero from the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina, examined data from 205 adult men who provided semen samples at an urology clinic in Argentina between 2018 and 2021. The researchers found that HPV was detected in 39 (19%) of the samples, with high-risk infections being more prevalent. High-risk strain HPV 16 was the most frequent strain identified, found in 16 samples.
The study revealed that men with high-risk HPV infections had 2½ times more sperm death than those with low-risk infections. In addition, samples with high-risk HPV infections showed higher levels of markers of cell stress compared to samples with low-risk HPV infections or no HPV detected. The findings suggest that certain strains of HPV may have a negative impact on sperm quality and sperm health.
Dr. Bobby Najari, a urologist at NYU Langone Health in New York, noted that while the study raises questions about the potential effects of high-risk HPV infections on male fertility, it is important to remember that the overall sperm count and motility were similar between men with high-risk HPV infections and other men. Najari emphasized that the study should not be cause for alarm for couples trying to conceive, as dying sperm are not typically the ones involved in fertilization.
Dr. Janet Choi, a reproductive endocrinologist and ob-gyn, suggested that further research on HPV in men could help clarify the link between high-risk HPV infections and fertility outcomes. She pointed out that previous studies have shown an association between HPV and male infertility, but more research is needed to fully understand the impact.
Dr. Ashley Lipps, an infectious disease doctor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, emphasized the need for additional larger studies to assess the impact of HPV infection on male fertility. Lipps noted that the study’s small sample size limited the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the relationship between HPV and sperm health.
Overall, while the study provides valuable insights into the potential effects of high-risk HPV infections on sperm health, more research is needed to fully understand the implications for male fertility. In the meantime, experts recommend vaccination as a key preventive measure against HPV infections, which can help reduce the risk of associated health problems.