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Sperm ultrastructure and meiotic segregation in a group of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C
E Moretti1, M G Federico, V Giannerini
1Department of General Surgery, Biology Section, Interdepartmental Centre for Research and Therapy of Male Infertility, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. moretti@unisi.it
Insights
Chronic hepatitis B and C infections impact male fertility. While sperm count may be normal, increased apoptosis and necrosis indicate altered sperm production, lowering the fertility index in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Hepatology
- Andrology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are prevalent globally.
- The impact of chronic HBV and HCV on male reproductive health, specifically sperm quality, remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic HBV and HCV infections on various parameters of sperm quality.
- To assess sperm pathologies, meiotic chromosome segregation, and fertility index in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
Main Methods:
- Semen analysis including light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on samples from HBV/HCV patients and controls.
- TEM data analysis using a mathematical formula for fertility index and sperm pathologies (apoptosis, immaturity, necrosis).
- Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) to evaluate meiotic chromosome segregation (chromosomes 18, X, Y).
Main Results:
- Patients with chronic HBV/HCV showed normal sperm concentration but reduced sperm motility.
- TEM revealed significantly higher apoptosis and necrosis rates in infected patients, indicating spermatogenetic alterations.
- While disomy rates were similar to controls, diploidy was elevated in HCV patients. The overall fertility index was significantly lower in HBV/HCV patients.
Conclusions:
- Chronic hepatitis B and C infections do not necessarily impair overall sperm quality but lead to significant spermatogenetic alterations.
- Increased apoptosis and necrosis, alongside a reduced fertility index, highlight potential reproductive concerns in men with chronic HBV or HCV.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings on male fertility.
Abstract:
Little is known about the effect of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C on sperm quality. In this study, we analysed sperm quality from selected patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Semen samples were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data were elaborated with a mathematical formula able to indicate a fertility index and the presence of the three main sperm pathologies: apoptosis, immaturity and necrosis. Meiotic chromosome segregation was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridisation carried out on sperm nuclei, using probes for chromosomes 18, X and Y. Despite normal sperm concentration, we observed reduced motility. TEM analysis highlighted that 35.7% of patients showed generally good semen quality. However, significantly higher values of apoptosis and necrosis, compared with controls, were observed, demonstrating spermatogenetic alterations. Regarding meiotic segregation, we found an incidence of disomies similar to that observed in control samples, whereas diploidy resulted higher in HCV patients, without reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, sperm quality in the studied group was not impaired; however, apoptosis and necrosis resulted out of normal range and the fertility index was significantly lower in HCV- and HBV-infected patients versus controls.
