Urogenit Tract Infect.  2023 Aug;18(2):45-49. 10.14777/uti.2023.18.2.45.

Role of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Prevention of Male Infertility

• Park T

• KMID: 2545911
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14777/uti.2023.18.2.45

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause various diseases, including genital warts and malignant diseases, such as cervical, head and neck, and anal cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that a HPV infection can also adversely affect male fertility. The HPV has been detected in the semen and testicular tissues of infected individuals, indicating that the virus can directly impact the male reproductive system. Indeed, many studies showed that the HPV infection could cause sperm DNA damage, decreased sperm motility, and reduced sperm concentration, contributing to male infertility. The HPV vaccination is currently only being administered to females in Korea. On the other hand, the vaccine could help mitigate these negative impacts on male fertility by protecting males against HPV infection. This paper reviews the effects of the HPV on male fertility and the potential benefits of HPV vaccination in protecting male fertility.

Keyword

Human papillomavirus; Male infertility; Vaccination; Semen analysis