Detection of human cytomegalovirus in motile spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells in testis organotypic culture.

Background: The presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in male genital tract suggests its vertical transmission with spermatozoa and the development of a potentially dangerous fetal infection. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of intracellular HCMV localization in male germ cells and to examine the effect of the virus on human spermatogenesis.

Methods: Semen samples from 91 infertile and 47 fertile men were analyzed.