Association between the JC Polyomavirus Infection and Male Infertility

Abstract

In recent years the incidence of male infertility has increased. Many risk factors have been taken into consideration, including viral infections. Investigations into viral agents and male infertility have mainly been focused on human papillomaviruses, while no reports have been published on polyomaviruses and male infertility. The aim of this study was to verify whether JC virus and BK virus are associated with male infertility. Matched semen and urine samples from 106 infertile males and 100 fertile males, as controls, were analyzed. Specific PCR analyses were carried out to detect and quantify large T (Tag) coding sequences of JCV and BKV. DNA sequencing, carried out in Tag JCV-positive samples, was addressed to viral protein 1 (VP1) coding sequences. The prevalence of JCV Tag sequences in semen and urine samples from infertile males was 34% (72/212), whereas the BKV prevalence was 0.94% (2/212). Specifically, JCV Tag sequences were detected in 24.5% (26/106) of semen and 43.4% (46/106) of urine samples from infertile men. In semen and urine samples from controls the prevalence was 11% and 28%, respectively. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in JCV prevalence was disclosed in semen and urine samples of cases vs. controls. A higher JC viral DNA load was detected in samples from infertile males than in controls. In samples from infertile males the JC virus type 2 strain, subtype 2b, was more prevalent than ubiquitous type 1. JCV type 2 strain infection has been found to be associated with male infertility. These data suggest that the JC virus should be taken into consideration as an infectious agent which is responsible for male infertility.

Prevalence of JC and BK viruses in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis

“…The primary infection with BKV occurs in early years of life while infection with JVC occurs at older ages: late childhood and adolescence. Seroconversion is observed at highest rates during adolescence and continues at a lower frequency until the age of about 60 (Comar et al, 2012). Environment is another factor affecting the prevalence.…”

Detection and analysis of variants of JC polyomavirus in urine samples from HIV-1-infected patients in China’s Zhejiang Province

“…The forward and reverse primer sequences were JLP15 (PR 5′-ACAGTGTGGCCAGAA TTCCACTACC-3′) and JLP16 (PF 5′-TAAAGCCTCCCCCCCAACAGAAA-3′), respectively. 12 , 18 – 21 The target sequence was amplified in a reaction and performed in a volume of 25 µL containing the following: 1 µL of template, 2.5 µL 10 × PCR buffer, 10 µM of each primer, 0.5 µL deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates , 2.5 µL MgCl 2 , and 2.5 U/reaction Taq polymerase.…”

Evaluation of fertility outcome as a consequence of intravaginal inoculation with sperm-impairing micro-organisms in a mouse model

“…These agents disturb female fertility as they lead to obstruction of parts of the reproductive system, pregnancy loss, and substantial effects on perinatal mortality and morbidity (Günyeli et al, 2011). The clinical significance of sexually transmitted microorganisms such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Treponema pallidum has been implicated in infertility (Comar et al, 2012). Chlamydia trachomatis infection is generally confined to the lower genital tract; however, it may involve the upper genital tract, and can result in ectopic pregnancy and infertility (Pal et al, 1998).…”