Investigations into virus carriership in human semen and mouse testicular cells

Virological investigations were performed to approach the mechanism of male infertility and recurrent abortions. Infectious adenovirus or herpes simplex virus was found in nearly 40% of semen samples obtained from sterile men. The viruses were detected in latent form in 60% of the cells. The same viruses as in the father's cells were found in the aborted material. In vitro inoculation of cell cultures with material of semen origin made the presence of other latent viruses probable. The affinity of adeno- and herpesviruses to urogenital organs was supported by animal experiments in which a new method of in vivo intratesticular inoculation was applied. The close interaction between urogenital cells and viruses was also supported by in vitro infection of human semen with adeno- or herpesviruses. The viruses absorbed to cells, penetrated the latter and their components replicated inside. It is suggested that local chronic viral infection may play part in male infertility and some cases of the recurrent abortions through damaging of cells. In patients treated with Zovirax, virus carriership ceased and the normal function of sperms started again.