In a recent study published in the Frontiers of Cellular and Infection Microbiology , a group of researchers investigated the association of high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) human papillomavirus (HPV) (a common sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and cancer) infections with sperm quality, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the male urogenital tract. Study: Impact of high-risk and low-risk human papillomavirus infections on the male genital tract: effects on semen inflammation and sperm quality . Image Credit: wutzkohphoto/Shutterstock.
com Background HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection linked to cervical cancer in women. HPV types are classified as HR-HPV or LR-HPV based on their association with malignancies or benign genital warts, respectively. While HPV in men has been less studied, recent research highlights its prevalence and potential effects on male reproductive health.
HPV Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) has been detected in various male genital specimens, but its impact on sperm quality and semen inflammation remains unclear. Further research is needed to clarify the inconsistent findings on HPV's impact on male reproductive health and better understand its role in sperm quality and semen inflammation. About the study The present cross-sectional study enrolled 205 adult males attending a urology and andrology clinic between 2018 and 2021.
Participants were males aged 18 years or older, undergoing semen analysis either as part of an initi.