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Association, prevalence, and

clearance of human papillomavirus


and antisperm antibodies in infected
semen samples from infertile patients
Andrea Garolla, M.D.,a Damiano Pizzol, M.D.,a Alessandro Bertoldo, B.Sc.,a Luca De Toni, B.Sc.,a
Luisa Barzon, M.D.,b and Carlo Foresta, Ph.D.a
a b
Unit for Human Reproduction Pathology, Section of Clinical Pathology; and Section of Microbiology and Medical
Biotechnologies, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Italy

Objective: To evaluate prevalence, association, and clearance of human papillomavirus (HPV) and antisperm antibodies (ASAs) in in-
fected semen samples from infertile patients.
Design: Cross-sectional clinical study.
Setting: Andrology and microbiology sections at a university hospital.
Patient(s): Three groups of subjects: 61 infertile patients with HPV semen infection, 104 noninfected infertile subjects, and 92 control
subjects.
Intervention(s): Semen analysis, spermMar test, fluorescence in situ hybridization for sperm aneuploidy and for HPV, and immuno-
fluorescence for HPV 16-L1 and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) determination.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Association of sperm procedures, HPV sperm infection, sperm aneuploidies, and sperm ASAs.
Result(s): Infertile patients with HPV semen infection showed high percentages of ASAs. In these patients HPV sperm infection was
associated with lower sperm motility, which was worse in subjects with ASAs. No alterations of sperm chromosomes were observed. To
obtain a significant clearance of both HPV sperm infection and ASAs at least 24 months of follow-up were needed.
Conclusion(s): Human papillomavirus has been recently suggested to have an important role in male infertility. This study demon-
strated that HPV sperm infection can be long lasting and frequently associated with ASAs that may further reduce male fertility. Infertile
patients with positive spermMar test results should be considered for investigation for HPV, es-
pecially if they are candidates for assisted reproduction. (Fertil SterilÒ 2013;99:125–31. Ó2013
by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) Use your smartphone
Key Words: Antisperm antibodies, asthenozoospermia, HPV clearance, male infertility, to scan this QR code
sexually transmitted infections, sperm infection and connect to the
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S
eminal infections are widely (1, 2). Chronic viral infection of the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus
accepted by clinicians and re- urogenital tract, especially HIV (HCV) semen infections are able to
searchers as significant etiologic infection, may be significant for adversely modify seminal fluid
factors of male infertility, and their pres- chronic low urethral tract inflammation parameters (5, 6). Impaired sperm
ence, even in asymptomatic males, is of- and reduced fertility (3, 4). Moreover, parameters, and in particular reduced
ten associated with poor semen quality recent studies have also shown that motility, have been observed in most of
these infections. Furthermore, viral
Received May 18, 2012; revised August 22, 2012; accepted September 5, 2012; published online semen infections have been associated
October 6, 2012. with increased frequency of sperm
A.G. has nothing to disclose. D.P. has nothing to disclose. A.B. has nothing to disclose. L.D.T. has noth-
ing to disclose. L.B. has nothing to disclose. C.F. has nothing to disclose.
aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation
Funding was provided by Master of Reproductive Medicine, University of Padua. (7, 8). Additionally, the presence of
Reprint requests: Carlo Foresta, Ph.D., University of Padova, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sec- human papillomavirus (HPV) has been
tion of Clinical Pathology, Unit for Human Reproduction Pathology, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Pa-
dova, Italy (E-mail: carlo.foresta@unipd.it). reported in semen. Because this
infection is usually considered transient
Fertility and Sterility® Vol. 99, No. 1, January 2013 0015-0282/$36.00
Copyright ©2013 American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Published by Elsevier Inc.
in males and without detrimental
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.09.006 clinical consequences, its effects on

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ANDROLOGY

sperm parameters and male fertility have been inadequately immunofluorescence for HPV 16-L1 protein and for immuno-
investigated (9–11). Recently our studies suggested the globulin determination. Subjects with HPV sperm infection
possible role of HPV in male infertility, showing a reduction repeated FISH analysis for HPV and determination of ASAs
of sperm motility (12). We observed a high prevalence of HPV at 12 months and, if still infected, at 24 months.
sperm infection in infertile patients with HPV DNA localized
in the sperm head. Moreover, we demonstrated that HPV Semen Processing
binding to sperm is tenacious (12, 13) and that conventional
Semen samples were obtained by masturbation after 3 days of
methods of sperm washing are not able to clear the virus from
sexual abstinence. After liquefaction at room temperature, se-
sperm surface (14). Infections are considered a risk factor for
men volume, pH, sperm concentration, viability, motility, and
antisperm antibodies (ASAs) development, besides being
normal morphology were determined according to World
a cause of direct damage on spermatozoa, abnormal seminal
Health Organization guidelines for semen analysis (23). In
plasma composition, and changes in mitochondrial function
each sample we performed the spermMar test to exclude sperm
(1, 2). The prevalence of ASAs is higher in infertile patients
antibodies (as described below). Semen samples were then
than in the general population, and their presence is
washed three times with sterile phosphate-buffered saline
associated with reduction of sperm motility (15–17). Although
(PBS 1), and the pellet was used for the subsequent analyses.
the role of ASAs is controversial, various mechanisms have
been proposed affecting male fertility: sperm agglutination
and impaired cervical mucus penetration, complement- ASA Detection
mediated sperm injury through the female genital tract, and in- Sperm antibodies were detected using the spermMar test kit
terference with gametes interaction (16). Whereas some authors for IgG and IgA (FertiPro). Semen samples were treated ac-
have observed no strong association between chronic inflam- cording to the kit protocol. This is an immunobead test that
matory or infectious diseases and the presence of ASAs in semen used IgG- and IgA-coated latex particles, which bind to the
(17, 18), other studies established that some infections are sperm-bound ASAs. The absence of ASAs was confirmed by
associated with the production of ASAs and that some freely moving spermatozoa uncovered by latex particles.
antibodies are directed against so-called fertilization-related an- The presence of ASAs was considered when spermatozoa re-
tigens, leading to infertility (19–22). To date, little is known acted with the particles and a bunch of particles were attached
about HPV sperm infection, its clinical consequences, to all or at least to 50% of motile spermatozoa. The reactivity
clearance time, and its association with sperm autoimmunity. of the test was confirmed by the formation of growing agglu-
The aim of this study was both to investigate the possible tinates of latex particles themselves. From the evaluation of
association between the presence of HPV and ASAs and to 500 motile spermatozoa, the percentage of spermatozoa
determine their clearance time in the semen of infertile patients. with attached latex particles represented the test result.

MATERIALS AND METHODS FISH for Sperm Aneuploidy


Patients The study of sperm aneuploidy was performed by multicolor
FISH, as reported elsewhere (24). The DNA hybridization
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients, and
was performed using a human satellite probe-specific mix
the study protocol was approved by the local ethics commit-
for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 (Kreatech Diagnostics). Probes
tee. We enrolled 61 consecutive infertile patients with HPV
were direct-labeled with fluorochrome PlatinumBright495 for
DNA in semen detected by polymerase chain reaction, and
chromosome X, resulting in a green signal and fluorochrome
104 infertile patients without HPV infection who attended
PlatinumBright550 for chromosome Y, resulting in a red sig-
the Center for Male Gamete Cryopreservation. Infertile
nal; for the detection of chromosome 18, a PlatinumBright415
patients were considered those subjects with altered sperm
direct-labeled specific probe was used, resulting in a blue sig-
parameters, at least 2 years of unprotected sexual intercourse
nal. The DNA denaturation of sperm and probes, incubation,
without conception, and normal female partners (tubal, uter-
posthybridization washing, and nuclear staining were per-
ine, cervical abnormalities, and ovarian disorders were ex-
formed according to the Kreatech protocol. After preparation,
cluded). A medical history including previous circumcision,
slides were observed using a fluorescence microscope (Nikon
smoking, and sexual behavior was obtained from each pa-
Eclipse E600) equipped with a triple band-pass filter set (fluo-
tient. Exclusion criteria were history of cryptorchidism, testic-
rescein isothiocyanate [FITC], tetrarhodamine isothiocyanate
ular trauma, or post-mumps orchitis. Varicocele and seminal
[TRITC], 6-diamino-2-phenylindole [DAPI]). Single spots
infections were excluded, respectively, by testicular Doppler
were evaluated as reported elsewhere (25). For each patient,
ultrasound and microbiological sperm culture. As control
at least 2,500 cells were scored.
subjects, a group of 92 proven fertile men who were able to
conceive during the last year and without HPV semen infec-
tion were enrolled with the same exclusion criteria. All FISH for HPV
subjects collected semen for standard semen analysis, sperm- Glass slides containing at least 2  106 adhered sperm were
Mar test, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for fixed in a methanol-acetic acid solution for at least 1 hour
sperm aneuploidy. Additionally, sperm from infertile patients at 20 C. To permeabilize, samples were digested with pepsin
with HPV semen infection were analyzed by FISH for HPV. On diluted 1:25,000 in prewarmed 0.01 mol/L-1 HCl for 10 min-
sperm samples positive for HPV 16 and ASAs we performed utes at 37 C. Permeabilization of the specimens was stopped

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with 3- to 5-minute washes in PBS 1; then samples were de- ature. Samples were then smeared on polylysinated glass
hydrated in 70%, 80%, and absolute ethanol for 2 minutes slides and air-dried. The glass slides were washed three times
and finally air-dried. Samples were then overlaid with 20 in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature and then saturated
mL of hybridization solution (Pan Path) containing biotin- with PBS/5% BSA/5% normal donkey serum for 30 minutes
labeled HPV DNA probe (a mix of total genomes containing at room temperature. Afterward, samples were incubated
the conserved HPV region). Each slide was covered with with mouse monoclonal antibody HPV 16-L1 (CAMVIR-1;
a glass coverslip, and the edges were sealed with nail polish 0.8 mg/mL, 1:250, Santa Cruz Biotechnology) and
to prevent loss of the mixture during denaturation and biotin-conjugated polyclonal anti-human IgM, IgG, or IgA
hybridization. After a simultaneous denaturation of cellular immunoglobulins (Vector Laboratories) overnight at 4 C.
target DNA and HPV DNA probe on a heating block for 5 min- Immunoreaction was detected by further incubation with
utes at 95 C, hybridization was performed by incubating the FITC-conjugated anti-mouse antibodies and streptavidin–
samples at 37 C overnight in a humidified chamber. Thereaf- Texas Red (both from Vector Laboratories). Finally, nuclei
ter the coverslips were carefully removed, and the slides were were counterstained with DAPI, and slides were mounted
washed in PBS 1 for 10 minutes. After 15 minutes’ incuba- with antifade buffer and 24  24-mm coverslip. Immuno-
tion at 37 C with the differentiation reagent (Pan Path), the staining was evaluated with a Nikon ViCo video confocal
slides were washed three times in PBS 1. The biotin- microscope.
labeled HPV probe was detected by incubation with 1:200
streptavidin Texas Red (Vector Laboratories) for 40 minutes
Statistical Analysis
at room temperature. After detection the slides were washed
twice in PBS 1/0.01% Triton and then twice in PBS 1 The values shown are the averages of at least three indepen-
and mounted with a solution containing DAPI and anti- dent experiments (n ¼ 3) performed in triplicate. Differences
fade (BioBlue; BioView). Samples were analyzed using a fluo- between data were determined by Fisher exact test and Welch
rescence microscope (Nikon ViCo video confocal microscope) two-sample t test. Probability (P) values were corrected
equipped with a triple band-pass filter set (FITC, TRITC, DAPI). through the Holm method, and values (two-sided) of < .01
For each slide at least 200 spermatozoa and 200 exfoliated were considered statistically significant.
cells were analyzed. Evaluation of nuclear hybridization sig-
nals was performed by three investigators. When nuclei were RESULTS
completely and homogeneously stained and multiple small We enrolled three groups of subjects as follows: 61 infertile
spots or single large signals were present, the sperm cells with HPV semen infection (aged 35.3  4.7 years), 104 infer-
were classified as positive. The method was tested on control tile without infection (aged 34.2  3.8 years), and 92 proven
slides containing CaSki cells, a human cervical carcinoma cell fertile noninfected subjects (aged 35.5  4.2 years) used as
line with stably integrated and transcriptionally active HPV controls. The presence of HPV infection was detected by poly-
genomes that served as a control for the specific probe. Cells merase chain reaction amplification and then genotyped by
smeared on salinated glass slides were fixed with 4% parafor- the INNO-LiPA Genotyping Extra assay, which can identify
maldehyde in PBS for 10 minutes. After fixation, cells were the following HPV genotypes: HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 26, 31, 33,
subjected to 3- to 5-minute washes in PBS 1 and then dehy- 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68,
drated with 5-minute ethanol washes (30%, 60%, and 95%). 69/71, 70, 73, 74, and 82. Each of the 61 positive samples
Cell smears were then air-dried and stored at 4 C until use. was further evaluated by FISH analysis for HPV to determine
the percentage of infected sperm. As previously reported, only
a part of sperm cells from these samples was bound to HPV
Immunofluorescence for HPV 16-L1 and DNA (Supplemental Fig. 1, available online). In particular,
Immunoglobulin Determination we observed a 24.7  4.8 mean percentage of HPV-positive
Among infertile patients with HPV semen infection, sperm sperm. Semen samples from each group were further analyzed
from five subjects confirmed as infected with HPV 16 were for semen parameters, sperm aneuploidy, and presence of
used for this analysis. Samples were washed in PBS and fixed ASAs (Table 1). Seminal volume, pH (data not shown), sperm
in PBS/paraformaldehyde 4% for 15 minutes at room temper- count, normal morphology, and viability were not different in

TABLE 1

Sperm parameters, FISH for sperm aneuploidy, and spermMar test results observed in the three subject groups.
Sperm Normal FISH Positive
concentration Total sperm Progressive morphology Viability aneuploidy spermMar test
Group (3106/mL) count (3106) motility (%) (%) (%) (%) result, n (%)
Infertile HPV-infected patients (n ¼ 61) 32.0  11.2 94.2  36.5 29.0  11.4 18.8  6.2 80.0  7.1 1.2  0.6 26 (42.6)
Infertile noninfected patients (n ¼ 104) 34.6  9.8* 108.8  44.5 47.8  11.0 18.5  4.3 83.2  5.1 1.3  0.4 12 (11.5)*
Control subjects (n ¼ 92) 51.3  8.4* 156.0  42.9 53.4  11.4 21.3  4.7 83.6  5.1 0.9  0.3 2 (2.2)*
* P< .01.
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HPV-infected and in noninfected semen samples, despite No staining for any Ig was found in the other three samples
a significant reduction of sperm number vs. control. A signif- (Fig. 1B). We followed up the 61 infected patients by FISH
icant reduction of mean progressive sperm motility was found for HPV and ASAs, and the results are reported in Figure 2.
in semen samples of infected patients vs. both controls and During a period of 24 months, infected patients (26 also had
infertile noninfected patients (both P< .01). The percentage positive spermMar test results) were advised to have protected
of sperm aneuploidy was not different in infected and nonin- intercourse, to avoid smoking, and to refer to our unit in case
fected infertile patients. Sperm samples from infertile patients of warts development. After 12 months, 39 of 61 (63.9%) were
more frequently showed ASAs compared with controls. Inter- still positive for HPV, and 17 (43.6%) also for the spermMar
estingly, this frequency was significantly higher in infected test, whereas 22 (36.1%) patients cleared HPV sperm infection
infertile patients than in noninfected ones (P< .01). Addition- and all tested negative for the spermMar test. After a further
ally, the mean percentage of ASAs was significantly higher in 12 months, 9 patients (14.7%) still tested HPV positive and 5
infected than in noninfected patients (mean percentage (55.5%) had ASAs in semen, whereas the other 30 subjects
34.7  19.8 and 15.8  9.6. respectively). Supplemental were negative for both HPV infection and ASAs. Table 2 re-
Figure 2 shows an example of positive spermMar test. Among ports the mean values of sperm motility observed during the
infected samples, five had HPV 16, and two of them showed follow-up period. Although there was no significant differ-
a positive spermMar test result. In these samples we tested ence in sperm motility between infected patients with positive
the presence of different immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and vs. negative spermMar test results, the former group showed
IgM). In the two samples with ASAs we observed costaining lower motility through the whole follow-up period. Patients
of HPV 16-L1 with both IgA and IgG but not IgM (Fig. 1A). that cleared HPV infection at 12 and 24 months showed

FIGURE 1

Confocal microscopic analysis for HPV 16-L1 and immunoglobulins. (A) Costaining of IgA and IgG with HPV proteins in ASA-positive infected
samples. (B) Absence of immunoglobulins staining in ASA-negative infected samples.
Garolla. Antisperm antibodies in HPV sperm infection. Fertil Steril 2013.

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FIGURE 2

Follow-up of 61 infertile patients with HPV sperm infection. Chart shows the prevalence and clearance of both sperm infection and ASAs at 0, 12,
and 24 months.
Garolla. Antisperm antibodies in HPV sperm infection. Fertil Steril 2013.

a mean sperm motility not significantly different from that in semen and that it has a relevant prevalence in some subjects
infertile noninfected patients (46.8%  13.0% and (26). This condition is frequently present in patients with
47.1%  12.1%, respectively, vs. 53.4%  11.4%). genital warts, partners of infected women, and in infertile
patients. In the latter patients we observed a significant
reduction of sperm motility that could represent the cause of
DISCUSSION their infertility status. However, other mechanisms have been
Many reports have addressed the presence of viral semen infec- proposed to explain the higher incidence of infertility in
tion such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV infections HPV-infected patients. In vitro studies showed both a reduced
on sperm quality (4–6). Although results have been sperm–egg penetration when HPV-transfected spermatozoa
controversial, most authors described significant impairment were used (27) and a stage-specific maturation arrest in HPV
of sperm parameters in affected males. In particular, sperm artificially infected embryos (28). Moreover, Perino et al.
number, motility, and morphology are frequently impaired in reported that, when HPV was present in semen, assisted repro-
these patients, representing a possible cause of male duction techniques (ARTs) resulted in lower fertilization rate
infertility (4–6). Most of the literature reporting the impact of and increased percentage of abortions (29). On this basis, we
viruses on male fertility focused on at least three aspects: [1] can hypothesize that during ART, HPV may interfere with
viral infections may induce an impairment of general health mechanisms of sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction,
and thus infertility; [2] infected patients are frequently sperm–oocyte interaction, and fusion, but postfertilization ef-
treated with antiretroviral therapies able to induce testicular fects can also be supposed. In this study we investigated a new
damage up to azoospermia; and [3] the presence of viral possible mechanism of male infertility related to HPV semen
DNA at sperm level may have a direct detrimental effect on infection. We found more than 40% of infected infertile pa-
sperm parameters and gametes interaction. Recently it has tients had a presence of ASAs on the sperm surface. In contrast,
been demonstrated that HPV infection can also be present in sperm autoimmunity was significantly lower in noninfected

TABLE 2

Number of infected patients and sperm motility at baseline and during the follow-up period (12 and 24 months).
Baseline 12 mo 24 mo
Group n Progressive motility (%) n Progressive motility (%) n Progressive motility (%)
Infertile HPV-infected total 61 29.0  11.4 39 30.1  8.1 9 31.1  6.3
Infertile HPV-infected, spermMar þ 26 27.2  12.7 17 28.4  5.4 5 28.0  2.7
Infertile HPV-infected, spermMar  35 30.5  10.3 22 31.4  9.6 4 35.0  7.7
Infertile who cleared HPV infection – – 22 46.8  13.0 30 47.1  12.1
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ANDROLOGY

infertile and in fertile control subjects, in which we found infection in infertile males. If our data are confirmed by fur-
a prevalence similar to that reported by the literature (30). ther studies, this knowledge will be very useful not only for
Moreover, infected patients had a higher mean percentage of infected males but also for their partners and for infertile
ASAs compared with noninfected ones. This finding suggests couples.
that the presence of HPV DNA on the sperm surface may rep-
resent an antigenic stimulus for ASA formation. It is worth Acknowledgments: We thank Massimo Menegazzo for
noting that in all participants of this study we had previously technical assistance; the staff of the Centre for Male Gamete
excluded the known causes of ASAs, such as actual and/or Cryopreservation for helpful discussion; Livio Finos, Ph.D.,
previous varicocele, other viral and/or bacterial infections, Department of Statistical Science, University of Padua for sta-
and orchitis. To confirm that sperm autoimmunity was HPV tistical analysis; and Mrs. Karyn Cecchini B.Sc., P.G.Dip., for
dependent, we documented the presence of both viral proteins careful editing.
and immunoglobulins in the same sperm cells in samples with
positive spermMar test results. In particular, when immunoflu-
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ANDROLOGY

SUPPLEMENTAL FIGURE 1

Example of FISH analysis for HPV performed on semen samples from infertile patients. (A) Noninfected sperm samples; (B) infected sperm.
Garolla. Antisperm antibodies in HPV sperm infection. Fertil Steril 2013.

131.e1 VOL. 99 NO. 1 / JANUARY 2013


Fertility and Sterility®

SUPPLEMENTAL FIGURE 2

Picture of positive spermMar test obtained from an infected semen sample.


Garolla. Antisperm antibodies in HPV sperm infection. Fertil Steril 2013.

VOL. 99 NO. 1 / JANUARY 2013 131.e2

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