Prospective evaluation of the threat related to the use of seminal fractions from hepatitis C virus-infected men in assisted reproductive techniques

Abstract

These results emphasize the safety of the semen-processing method. The negligible risk of transmitting HCV reduces the value of the systematic analysis of HCV RNA in seminal fractions prior to ART. Since use of this analytical procedure involves the freezing of semen, its avoidance would result in an increase in sperm quality and reduce the need to perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection techniques.

Shedding of Hepatitis C Virus in Semen of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men

“…A number of questions are raised by our results. Consistent with previous work [ 7 , 8 , 11 ], we have found that approximately one third of HIV-infected men with HCV infection shed HCV into their semen, and that this shedding is both qualitatively (ie, detected or not detected) and quantitatively related to the magnitude of blood HCV VL; however, less-so during chronic HCV infection. Shedding in semen was not always present when the blood HCV VL was high, nor was it always absent when the blood HCV VL was low, although these were significantly correlated, with 15 (94%) of 16 of specimens with detectable HCV shedding having a paired blood VL of >5 log 10 IU/mL.…”

“…Despite significant epidemiological [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 17 ] and virological evidence [ 7 – 10 ], the role of HCV in semen in the sexual transmission of HCV among HIV-infected MSM still remains controversial. The phrases “traumatic sex” or “anal trauma” are commonly cited as necessary elements of HCV acquisition, but these factors have not been found consistently [ 1 ].…”

“…That HCV is shed into the semen has been known for well over 2 decades [ 6 ]. The rates of shedding of HCV into semen have ranged widely among studies, between 5% and 57% [ 7 – 10 ]. Semen HCV viral load (VL) are significantly lower than the corresponding HCV VL in the blood [ 8 , 11 ], as would be expected from a blood-semen barrier.…”

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus among monogamous heterosexual couples: The HCV partners study

“…Potential factors that may influence this exchange include the titer of virus, the integrity of the mucosal surfaces, and the presence of other genital infections (viral or bacterial). Studies to detect HCV RNA in semen (seminal fluid and cells), vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and saliva have yielded mixed results 14‐20. Failure to detect HCV RNA in body secretions from chronically infected subjects may be due to technical factors (e.g., specimen collection and storage) and the inability to exclude cellular components and to overcome the presence of polymerase inhibitors in body fluids.…”

Semen and hormonal parameters in men with chronic hepatitis C infection

“…However, Garrido et al (11) reported that a long evolution of HCV disease did not negatively affect sperm motility. Bourlet et al (18) found that, although 20% of the semen plasma were positive for HCV in their cases, there was no change of semen parameters. Also, Vicari et al (19) showed that sperm parameters had nonsignificant correlation with the duration of either infertility or viral infection.…”