Impact of chronic hepatitis B virus infection on semen parameters of fertile men

To investigate the effect of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection on semen parameters of males with proven fertility. Material & methods: 61 fertile men with CHB infection and a control group of 42 HBV-negative fertile men were assessed for serum and semen HBV viral loads by quantitative real-time PCR, complete semen analysis, hypo-osmotic swelling test, seminal total peroxide, total antioxidant capacity assay and sperm DNA integrity evaluation. Results: CHB men demonstrated significantly lower sperm motility, sperm viability and sperm DNA integrity, seminal total antioxidant capacity assay and significantly increased seminal total peroxide and oxidative stress index compared with controls. CHB cases with positive semen HBV DNA showed a significant increase in seminal total peroxide and oxidative stress index compared with CHB cases with negative semen HBV DNA. Conclusion: CHB has a negative burden on seminal parameters in fertile men.