Problem: The effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on sperm quality and oxidative stress state of the semen of infertile males remain undetermined.
Method of study: Normal males and 60 semen samples from infertile males (with or without HBV infection) were subjected to semen analysis.
Results: Semen volume, semen pH, sperm density, percentage of forward, movement of sperm, sperm activation rate, sperm survival rate, rate of normal sperm morphology of infertile males with HBV infection were significantly lower than those of infertile males without genital infection and of normal males (P<.05), while interleukin (IL)-17, IL-18, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in subjects with HBV infection were significantly higher than those of infertile males without genital infection and of normal males (P<.05). In patients with HBV infection, MDA level was found to be negatively correlated with semen quality, but positively correlated with semen IL-17 and IL-18 concentrations.
Conclusions: HBV infection increased MDA level, induced abnormal expression of IL-17 and IL-18, and negatively affected male reproductive capacity, resulting in male infertility.
Keywords: HBV infection; oxidative stress state; sperm quality.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.