Researchers have found that high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) may negatively impact male fertility by suppressing immune system components in the genital tract and increasing the risk of other infections. A study in Argentina found that men with high-risk HPV strains had lower levels of immune cells in their semen and higher levels of oxidative stress, potentially leading to damaged sperm and infertility. Couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology have a greater risk of miscarriage if the man has HPV in his semen. Vaccination against HPV may help men clear the virus faster and improve their chances of conceiving. Vaccination rates among adolescent boys and men have been increasing, and research suggests that the vaccine may also reduce rates of head and neck cancers in men. However, the vaccine’s impact on men’s fertility is still uncertain, and further research is needed to explore this connection. Doctors recommend testing for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections in men struggling with fertility to identify potential drivers of infertility. A larger study is needed to confirm the findings of the Argentinian study and explore how simultaneous infections with HPV and other STIs may impact male fertility.
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