Papillomavirus infection and male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Increasing attention is being paid to the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in men and specifically reproduction. Growing evidence suggests an association between HPV infection with many adverse effects including the impairment of semen parameters, the increase of blastocyst apoptosis, the reduction of endometrial implantation of trophoblastic cells, as well as the increase rate of miscarriages and spontaneous preterm birth.

We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and ERIC from inception to 2nd of July 2024, for studies that investigated the association between HPV infection with sperm parameters and fertility outcomes. The meta-analysis was conducted on mean data and standard deviations.

We included 25 studies with a total of 6942 patients. Sperm morphology was lower in HPV positive groups versus HPV negative control groups (SMD = -0.52 95% CI -0.84; -0.21; p = 0.001). Sperm motility was also significantly lower in HPV positive groups when compared to HPV negative controls (SMD = -0.82 95% CI -1.07; -0.57; p = <0.001). Sperm volume, concentration, and pH were not significantly different between the two groups. The other 15 studies included in the systematic review for which it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis showed strong associations between HPV infection and impairment of sperm parameters, reduced couple fertility and increased risk of pregnancy loss.

The current evidence highlights the link between HPV infection and sperm parameters, male fertility and reproductive outcomes, which has the potential to lead to a decreased couple fertility, increased risk of pregnancy loss, re-infection and increased treatment costs.