Molecular Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus in Semen of infertile Men in Tehran

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can induce latency and evade the immune system. The latent virus can reactive later in older ages and due to immunosuppressive conditions. Sexually transmitted diseases and viruses can influence the male reproductive system, and members of the Herpesviridae family are one of these important viruses. Regarding the importance of herpesviruses, specially HCMV, this research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCMV in semen samples of infertile men.

Semen samples were collected from infertility centers affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. The chromatin state was assessed by DNA fragmentation index. Nucleic acids were extracted from the semen specimens, and a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to detect HCMV DNA.

Enrolled patients were 82 infertile men. The mean age of participants was 37.3 ± 6.1 years, and the mean motility and DNA fragmentation index of the samples were 33.6 ± 2 % and 27.2 ± 1.2, respectively. The prevalence of HCMV was 11%, and there was no statistically significant difference between HCMV and sperm parameters except the motility.

HCMV infection could be important in sperm motility, and HCMV prevalence in infertile patients was 11%. Further investigations in this field can be helpful for a clear result in the future.