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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 May 7;18(1):38.
doi: 10.1186/s12958-020-00604-0.

Impact of human papillomavirus infection in semen on sperm progressive motility in infertile men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiaodan Cao  1 , Renxiong Wei  2 , Xiaoxia Zhang  2 , Jun Zhou  2 , Jiangtao Lou  2 , Yun Cui  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Impact of human papillomavirus infection in semen on sperm progressive motility in infertile men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiaodan Cao et al. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been considered as one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses that may be linked to unexplained infertility in men. The possible mechanisms underlying correlation between HPV infection and infertility could be related to the altered sperm parameters. Current studies have investigated the effect of HPV seminal infection on sperm quality in infertile men, but have shown inconsistent results.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI for studies that examined the association between HPV seminal infection and sperm progressive motility. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Outcomes were the sperm progressive motility rate. Results are expressed as standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated by the I-square (I2) statistic.

Results: Ten studies were identified, including 616 infertile patients with HPV seminal infection and 2029 infertile controls without HPV seminal infection. Our meta-analysis results indicated that sperm progressive motility was significantly reduced in HPV-infected semen samples compared with non-infected groups [SMD:-0.88, 95% CI:-1.17 ~ - 0.59]. There existed statistical heterogeneity (I2 value: 86%) and the subgroup analysis suggested that study region might be the causes of heterogeneity.

Conclusions: HPV semen infection could significantly reduce sperm progressive motility in infertile individuals. There were some limitations in the study such as the differences in age, sample sizes and the number of HPV genotypes detected. Further evidences are needed to better elucidate the relationship between HPV seminal infection and sperm quality.

Keywords: Human papillomavirus; Male infertility; Meta-analysis; Progressive motility; Sperm quality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the studies identified in the systematic review and meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Primary outcome in overall analysis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Subgroup analysis by study region
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sensitivity analysis of the association between human papillomavirus seminal infection and sperm progressive motility
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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