[Virus of sexual transmission: semen and virus relationship].

INTRODUCTION

The possible "infection"/interaction processes between sperm and different microorganisms are being under discussion nowadays. This process might include some viruses and even recent investigations are aiming to elucidate the mechanisms and the receptors that may be involved in this interaction. Furthermore, it has been reported the presence of some viral genomes within the sperm DNA, raising the possibility of transmitting the infection to the partner and offspring.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to describe the mechanisms by how viruses could possibly infect some seminal fractions. This is pursued by performing a literature review for answering the question: how the sexually transmitted virus could be infecting sperm?

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We carried out a bibliographic review about sperm and virus interaction.

RESULTS

Some viruses interact with sperm cells; and sperm cells could transfer the viruses to offspring, however, in most cases, the receptors that allow this interaction are not clearly described.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the current information, new in vitro studies are needed to determine the role of sperm in spreading viruses of sexually transmitted infections.