Human Reproduction vol.11 no.4 pp.765-768, 1996 Semen analysis in HTV seropositive men and in subjects at high risk for HTV infection

2To whom correspondence should be addressed The main purpose of this research was (i) to perform a comparative study of sperm parameters in human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and high risk subjects in order to identify any possible alterations in the semen which specifically result from HTV infection and (ii) to study the p24 antigen as an early diagnostic marker of infection hi high risk subjects. HTV seropositive subjects showed no significant variations regarding sperm densities, motility and viscosity compared to high risk subjects and controls. On the other hand, these HTV seropositive subjects showed (a) a significantly higher percentage of cytoplasmic droplet forms and immature germ cells, perhaps caused by an early failure of epididymal function and/or by a condition of stress affecting spermatogenesis after HTV infection and (b) a significantly higher level of spermio-phage cells, suggesting that HTV activates mechanisms that increase spermiophagy. In addition, HTV seropositive men showed a significant positive correlation between blood CD4+ and sperm motility as well as a significant inverse correlation between CD4+ and sperm abnormalities. This is perhaps due to a decrease in testosteronaemia leading to defective epididymal sperm maturation. To date, p24 has not been found in the serum or seminal plasma of high risk subjects. The longitudinal study in progress should provide further information on this point Key words: HTV/human semen/p24 antigen/spermiophag