Asymptomatic seminal infection of HSV plays an important role in male infertility by adversely affecting sperm count. – Journal of Biomedical Research
According to a study, the latent herpes virus can contribute to male infertility. The study states that, “viral infections impair male fertility, either by directly invading the male genital tract cells, or by indirectly causing local inflammatory or immunological responses that could deteriorate reproductive functions.” This is significant since, “The association between HSV infections and male infertility has been investigated, and some studies reported the association of HSV infection with infertility.” (1)
How does the herpes virus potentially cause infertility?
“Viral infections impair male fertility, either by directly invading the male genital tract cells, or by indirectly causing local inflammatory or immunological responses that could deteriorate reproductive functions.” (1)
Other studies support these results. For instance, the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2) revealed a significant association between HSV and infertility. They detected HSV-1 DNA in 24% of semen samples from infertile men using a nested PCR technique. In addition, Fertility and Sterility stated that, “HSV DNA was detected in 49.5% of semen samples, and HSV infection was significantly related to low sperm count as well as poor motility.”(3)
Due to these results, study authors suggested that “treatment with approved anti-HSV drugs such as acyclovir, controls HSV lytic infection. Therefore, early detection of this virus using sensitive and specific methods like PCR enables us to reduce the abnormal semen parameters and the possibility of infertility as well as to control the transmission HSV infection … HSV can be easily transmitted to the partner and cause genital lesions in mothers as well as severe problems such as encephalitis in newborns. Thus, early diagnosis and appropriate anti-viral therapy of asymptomatic genital HSV infection should be pursued.” (1)
While these study authors recommend acyclovir etc. it’s important to note that “a meta-analysis of five placebo-controlled and two dose comparison studies evaluated the effect of aciclovir, famciclovir or valaciclovir on symptoms. The meta-analysis showed that oral antiviral therapy decreases the duration and the associated pain of an outbreak by merely one day.” (4)
Therefore newer, better, more effective treatments and remedies must be developed.