Update on known and emergent viruses affecting human male genital tract and fertility

Abstract

Many viruses infect the male genital tract with harmful consequences at individual and population levels. In fact, viral infections may induce damage to different organs of the male genital tract (MGT), therefore compromising male fertility. The oxidative stress, induced during viral-mediated local and systemic inflammation, is responsible for testicular damage, compromising germinal and endocrine cell functions. A reduction in sperm count, motility, number of normal sperm and an increase in DNA fragmentation are all common findings in the course of viral infections that, however, generally regress after infection clearance. In some cases, however, viral shedding persists for a long time leading to unexpected sexual transmission, even after the disappearance of the viral load from the blood. The recent outbreak of Zika and Ebola Virus evidenced how the MGT could represent a reservoir of dangerous emergent viruses and how new modalities of surveillance of survivors are strongly needed to limit viral transmission among the general population. Here we reviewed the evidence concerning the presence of relevant viruses, including emergent and re-emergent, on the male genital tract, their route of entry, their adverse effects on male fertility and the pattern of viral shedding in the semen. We also described laboratory strategies to reduce the risk of horizontal or vertical cross-infection in serodiscordant couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.