Herpesvirus role in male infertility
DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-3-123-129
V.P. Kovalyk1, M.A. Gomberg2, E.E. Bragina3, K.I. Yurlov4, A.A. Kushch4
1Federal Research and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical Biological Agency,
Moscow, Russian Federation
2Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology,
Moscow, Russian Federation
3A.N. Belozersky Research Instituteof Physico-Chemical Biology MSU, Moscow,
Russian Federation
4National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary
Academician N.F. Gamaleya, Moscow, Russian Federation
Nowadays, the search for etiopathogenetic factors of infertility is an urgent medical and social task. 23 men with chronic abacterial prostatitis in a barren marriage underwent the follow-up. Herpesviruses of types IV–VI were detected in urogenital samples (urethra, ejaculate, prostate secretions) in 8 of 23 men who were treated with valacyclovir (500 mg 2 times a day for 3 months) and interferon α-2b in combination with antioxidants — vitamins E and C (rectal suppositories). Based on the personal experience of the authors, the patients were prescribed the following drug use regimen: 3 million IU twice a day — 10 days, then 3 million IU twice a day — 3 times per week for the next 3 weeks. The remaining 15 patients without any detected viruses were prescribed the following: levofloxacin 500 mg — 30 days, tamsulosin 0.4 mg — 90 days, diclofenac 50 mg — 10 days. By the end of therapy, electron microscopy and virology showed a decrease in the concentration and number of virus-positive urogenital samples, as well as a decrease in the number of spermatozoa with viral capsids. Within 6 months from the therapy initiation, the onset of pregnancy was observed in the married couples of 6 out of 8 men with herpesviruses vs. in 4 out of 11 without viruses (p=0.026). Thus, we obtained the data on the role of herpesviruses of types IV–VI in male infertility. A good reproductive effect was achieved with valacyclovir and interferon α-2b in combination with antioxidants in most patients.
Keywords: herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, human herpes virus type VI, male infertility.
For citation: Kovalyk V.P., Gomberg M.A., Bragina E.E. et al. Herpesvirus role in male infertility. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(3):123–129. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-3-123-129.
About the authors:
Vladimir P. Kovalyk — Cand. of Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Federal Research and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical Biological Agency; 91, Volokolamsk highway, Moscow, 125371, Russian Federaton; ORCID iD 0000-0002-0453-2771.
Mikhail A. Gomberg — Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Professor, Chief Researcher of the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology; 20, Seleznevskaya str., Moscow, 127473, Russian Federaton; ORCID iD 0000-0002-1070-5229.
Elizaveta E. Bragina — Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Professor, A.N. Belozersky Research Instituteof Physico-Chemical Biology MSU; 1, bld. 40, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119992, Russian Federaton; ORCID iD 0000-0002-8422-4962.
Kirill I. Yurlov — Researcher of the Department of Molecular Virology, National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya; 18, Gamalei str., Moscow, 123098, Russian Federaton; ORCID iD 0000-0002-4694-2445.
Alla A. Kushch — Dr. of Sci. (Biology), Professor, Head of the Department of Molecular Virology, National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya; 18, Gamalei str., Moscow, 123098, Russian Federaton; ORCID iD 0000-0002-3396-5533.
Contact information: Vladimir P. Kovalyk, e-mail: kovalyk@mail.ru. Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned. There is no conflict of interests. Received 14.03.2021, revised 02.04.2021, accepted 19.04.2021.
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