P-038 Correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation index, semen parameters and Human Papillomavirus: an analysis conducted under World Health Organization 2021 guidelines
Authors: Notari T , Buttà M , Serra N , Rizzo G , Montano L , Capra G , Bosco L 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Following 6thWHO (2021), we analysed the correlation between DNA fragmentation index (DFI), Human papillomavirus (HPV), and seminal parameters, highlighting slow and rapid progressive motility alterations.

Summary answer

DFI rates and seminal parameters correlated with rapid, slow, and progressive motility. However, HPV-positivity caused the loss of association between DFI and slow progressive motility.

What is known already

HPV detection in semen samples has long opened an investigation into its influence on male infertility. Some studies indicate that HPV can affect sperm quality and DFI, while others have failed to find any correlation. With reference to 2010 WHO guidelines, our latest work highlighted how HPV positivity significantly impairs progressive motility, morphology, and immotile sperm rate. Since the latest 2021 WHO guidelines included the evaluation of slow and rapid progressive motility and DFI, we analysed if these new parameters and the other conventional parameters could be altered by HPV infection.

Study design, size, duration

From August 2021 to December 2022, 121 semen samples were collected from male partners of HPV-positive women attending in vitro fertilization (IVF). Every specimen underwent DFI evaluation, analysis of seminal parameters, and HPV test.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Seminal samples were collected by masturbation after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence. The inclusion criteria were as follows: no other sexually transmitted infections, no genetic diseases, and no inflammatory disorders. Sperm concentration, morphology, non-progressive and immotile sperms, and both slow and rapid progressive motility were evaluated according to WHO 2021 guidelines. DFI analysis was assessed by sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD), while HPV-DNA detection was performed using InnoLipa HPV Genotyping Extra II (Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan).

Main results and the role of chance

Of the 121 semen samples tested, 60 (49.6%) were HPV-positive and 61 (50.4%) were HPV-negative. DFI rates showed a significant negative correlation with rapid progressive motility in both groups and a positive correlation with slow progressive motility in the HPV-negative group. Conversely, the significance of the correlation between DFI and slow progressive motility was completely lost in HPV-positive patients. Sperm concentration, normal forms and immotile spermatozoa percentages were correlated with both motility parameters in the HPV-negative group. Similar results were observed in HPV-positive samples, except for the normal form rate, which was not associated with slow progressive motility. In addition, the same samples displayed a negative correlation between non-progressive motility and rapid progressive motility, absent in HPV-negative samples. Significant associations were found also for the derived parameter of progressive motility, which was correlated with DFI, sperm concentration, immotile sperm, and normal forms rate in both groups. The results suggest how high DFI rates, in the presence or absence of HPV infection, could affect reproductive health through a consistent impairment of spermatozoa motility. In particular, the distinction of slow and rapid progressive motility by WHO 2021 allows a deeper understanding of the possible correlations between DFI, semen parameters and HPV infection.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a preliminary study characterized by a small number of samples. Therefore, confirmation of these findings requires the enlargement of the patient cohort, which is already taking place.

Wider implications of the findings

Our results highlight how the introduction of the new WHO 2021 evaluation criteria, i.e. DFI, and slow and rapid progressive motility, provides additional information about sperm quality and the impact of HPV infection on it.

Trial registration number

Not applicable