Human papillomavirus DNA detection in sperm using polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: To detect human papillomavirus (HPV) in semen and find if sperm washing removes HPV DNA. METHODS: Amplification by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect viral DNA sequences in semen samples from 85 volunteers. Forty-five men had historical or clinical evidence of genital HPV infection (study group) and 40 were healthy, clinically HPV-negative semen donors. RESULTS: We detected HPV DNA in the sperm cells of 24 of 45 subjects (53%) with past or current HPV infections in contrast to three of 40 healthy subjects (8%) (P <.001). Overall, PCR detected HPV in 21 of 32 subjects (66%) with identifiable lesions and six of 53 (11%) without them (P <.001). Swim-up washings of all 27 prewash sperm cells with HPV reduced cellular HPV DNA below detectable levels in only two cases. CONCLUSION: HPV is present in sperm cells from infected and apparently healthy subjects, and sperm washing does not eliminate the risk of HPV transmission to recipients. We suggest that HPV DNA testing should be done on the semen of prospective donors, and those with positive tests should be excluded from donation.