acyclovir and Infertility--Female

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valacyclovir treatment on natural killer (NK) cell concentration in the peripheral blood of infertile women.. Peripheral blood NK cell concentration of 104 non-pregnant women with a history of infertility was determined by flow cytometry. The controls were 14 fertile non-pregnant women. A cohort of 42 out of 104 women--whose NK cell levels were 175/microL or higher--was prospectively studied for the presence of HSV-1, 2, VZV, cytomegalovirus, HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8 DNA in the peripheral blood and was orally administered valacyclovir (open label study).. Herpes virus DNA was detected in 64.3% of the 42 women examined. Prior to valacyclovir treatment mean NK cell concentration in herpes-negative group was statistically higher from control group but lower from herpes positive group (P = 0.0007, ANOVA). Following valacyclovir treatment the mean NK cell concentration was statistically decreased in all studied women (P = 0.000453), in herpes-negative (P = 0.01622) and in herpes positive group (P = 0.0056). Sufficient decrease was observed in 31 (73.8%) of 42 women who received the drug.. Valacyclovir treatment is associated with a decrease of NK cell levels in most of the women with a history of infertility.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Female; Herpesviridae; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Infertility, Female; Killer Cells, Natural; Lymphocyte Count; Valacyclovir; Valine

To determine a possible link between herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) and infertility.. A specifically designed polymerase chain reaction with nested primers, was developed and used to test for HSV in 153 men and 20 women attending an infertility clinic.. HSV DNA was detected in 37 (24%) out of 153 semen samples and in 11 (55%) out of 20 menstrual blood samples. However, HSV DNA (0%) was not detected in the semen of 16 males with children. A significant association between the evidence for infertility and an HSV positive test was observed in men (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.024), and a stronger effect was found in females after failed in vitro fertilization (Fisher's exact test p = 0.0086).. This is the first report of the detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in semen and menstrual blood. Encouraging preliminary results justify antiviral therapy in case of a positive test.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Base Sequence; DNA Primers; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; DNA, Viral; Exodeoxyribonucleases; Female; Herpes Simplex; Herpesvirus 1, Equid; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Infertility, Female; Infertility, Male; Male; Menstruation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Semen; Viral Proteins