BRF’s Latest CMV Data Suggests an Urgent Need for Better Understanding for Semen in IVF
Bedford Research Foundation scientists publish the latest CMV (cytomegalovirus) research data in the European Society of Medicine Journal.
Between April 2020 and March 2022, BRF collected 453 semen specimens from 156 HIV-infected men. The men were seeking specialized HIV PCR testing for semen provided by SPAR (the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction). Through SPAR, semen specimens with no detectable HIV viral load are cryopreserved and transferred to a partner clinic for use in fertility procedures. The goal is is to help couples achieve a pregnancy without transmitting the father’s infection to the mother, surrogate, or child.
In recent years, BRF has initiated CMV testing on all semen specimens going through SPAR. The testing was initiated because of the alarming reports from the CDC that CMV is now the leading infection cause of birth defects in the United States. It’s been known since at least 2007 that 1 in 750 babies born in the US has birth defects due to CMV. Additionally, although the CDC reports that between 50 and 80 percent of people in the United States have had a CMV infection by the time they are 40 years old, it is well-documented that even as of 2024, very few couples are counseled about the disease during pregnancy.
BRF’s research found that of the 453 semen specimens that were tested for HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV) more specimens tested positive for CMV (136, 30%) than for HIV (52, 11%). Fifty two men (33%) had at least one CMV-positive specimen, 38 men (24%) had at least one HIV-positive specimen, and 16 men (11%) had at least one specimen test positive for both HIV and CMV. This data backs up the growing concern that virus shedding into semen is in urgent need of better understanding to avoid the risks associated with new infections early in pregnancy.
Results were similar for the 32 international clients as for domestic clients and for gay clients as for heterosexual clients. No correlations between virus-positivity and CD4+ blood cell counts, leukocytospermia, anti-HIV medications, nor age were noted. During the same time frame, 43 babies were born to gestational carriers and wives, 82 gestational carriers and wives underwent embryo transfer without consequent infection, and 32 pregnancies from nine fertility clinics were reported.