Human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus primarily linked to cervical cancer in women, is now being recognized for its significant impact on male fertility. A recent study conducted by researchers in Argentina has found that high-risk strains of HPV are associated with a greater percentage of dead sperm in men, potentially leading to fertility issues.
The study, published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, analyzed semen samples from 205 adult males. Those with high-risk HPV strains showed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, damaging sperm DNA and lowering white blood cell counts. In contrast, samples from men with low-risk HPV did not exhibit the same negative effects.
“Genital HPV infection is very prevalent in men, with variable effects on semen inflammation and sperm quality according to the viral genotype,” explained Virginia Rivero, an infection microbiologist from the National University of Córdoba. The findings suggest that high-risk HPV genotypes have more detrimental effects on male fertility, raising new concerns about the virus’s impact on men.
A ‘Feminized’ Infection with Broader Consequences
Despite HPV’s known association with cancers in the penis, anus, mouth, and throat, the virus has historically been viewed as a “women’s problem,” primarily due to its link to cervical cancer. As a result, public health efforts, including the HPV vaccination rollout, have disproportionately targeted females.
The HPV vaccine, first introduced in 2006, was initially approved only for girls in the U.S. It wasn’t until 2009 that the vaccine was made available for boys. Today, the World Health Organization recommends including boys in vaccination programs, yet boys are still considered “secondary targets” in many nations.
Globally, only 4% of boys had completed the full course of the HPV vaccine as of 2019, compared to 15% of girls. In countries like the U.S., vaccine uptake remains slightly lower in boys (61%) compared to girls (65%).
Case for Gender-Neutral Vaccination
Experts are calling for a shift in the narrative surrounding HPV vaccination. “A lot of men object to the HPV vaccine and will say, ‘Why should I get this when it is for girls?’” explains public health scientist Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters of Duke University. The new findings provide a compelling reason: preventing male infertility and reducing the risk of cancers linked to HPV.
Countries like Australia, which has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, have seen significant success, with 85.9% of females and 83.4% of males vaccinated. Public health experts argue that vaccinating everyone against HPV, regardless of sex, is crucial to eradicating the virus and preventing its far-reaching health consequences.
As HPV-related cancers rise, particularly throat and penile cancers, the study emphasizes the importance of shifting the public perception of HPV to a gender-neutral health issue. Without widespread vaccination, HPV will continue to affect both male and female fertility and lead to severe health outcomes.
The Argentine study underscores the urgency of comprehensive HPV vaccination for all sexes to curb the virus’s detrimental effects on fertility and long-term health.
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