Are the morphokinetics of embryos obtained from HPV-positive sperm altered? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

This study focuses on the potential impact of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes, specifically examining sperm quality, embryo morphokinetics, and pregnancy rates.

Objectives: The study aims to compare the embryological morphokinetics of ART embryos derived from HPV-positive versus HPV-negative sperm, assess fertilisation rates, morphology, and pregnancy outcomes, and determine the prevalence of HPV infection in male ART patients.

Design: This is a retrospective cohort study. As established by the sample size, the participants were divided into two groups: the first sperm HPV positive group of 57 cases and the second HPV negative group of 57 cases. Participants/Materials, Setting,: We calculated the sample size for evaluating sperm parameters. The estimated number of patients required for the study was 114. The sample size for the morphogenetic evaluation of embryos was equal to 210 embryos in total. The statistical analysis involved the execution of the Student t-test, the Shapiro test the Mann-Whitney. The Chi-square or Fisher tests were then used depending on the sampled data.

Methods: The enrolled couples were treated with in vitro fertilization with ICSI. Results Morphokinetics showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups examined. Therefore, the speed of the various stages of embryonic growth appears substantially identical. Limitations Morphokinetics showed no statistically significant difference (table V) between the two groups examined. Therefore, the speed of the various stages of embryonic growth appears substantially identical. Conclusions Our results suggest that the disease does not worsen the results of ART and does not modify the morphokinetics of embryos; therefore, screening for sperm HPV in males of couples scheduled for ART does not appear advisable.