Virus-host studies in human seminal and mouse testicular cells

Virological studies were performed for male infertility and repeated abortions. It was found that in about 40% of infertile males infectious adeno- or herpes simplex virus is present in the semen, while the same viruses are present in 60% of the cells in a latent form. In the aborted fetuses the same viruses could be observed as in the father's cells. Due to semen added to tissue cultures the latent presence also of other viruses could be supposed. The affinity of adeno- and herpes viruses to urogenital organs was confirmed by animal experiments, where a new method was applied for in vivo infection. The close correlation between viruses and urogenital cells was similarly confirmed by infecting in vitro human seminal and testicular cells with adeno- and herpes simplex viruses absorbed by the cells, entering them, moreover replicating in the form of their components. Based on the results, it was assumed that chronic local urogenital infections, due to various viruses, may play a role in male infertility and in a part of repeated abortions by damaging their cells. Applying a Zovirax therapy, the seminal cells were stopped to be viral carriers and normal function was restored.