In Vitro Effect of the Interaction between Human Sperm and Chikungunya and Zika Viruses

Abstract

Introduction:The endemic and epidemic behavior of the arbovirosis transmitted by different species of the genus Aedeshas contributed to the rapid geographical distribution and dissemination of the diseases known as Zika fever and Chikungunya fever, caused by the Zika and Chikungunya viruses, respectively. While there is evidence of the sexual transmission of Zika, and the presence of Chikungunya has been observed in semen, the effects of the interaction of these two viruses with the sperm are not known very well.
Objective:to determine the in-vitro effects of the interaction of Zika and Chikungunya viruses in the conventional and functional sperm parameters of human sperm.Methods: An experimental study was carried out in the Laboratory of the Reproduction Group, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Antioquia from July 2019 to July 2021. The sperm of eleven samples of semen of healthy individuals were incubated with Zika and Chikungunya viruses for 3 h a 37 ° C, 5 % CO2. For each sample, mobility and sperm viability by microscope were quantified. In addition, it was evaluated the potential of the sperm mitochondrial membrane, the integrity and lipoperoxidation of the sperm membrane, and the production of reactive species of sperm intracellular oxygen, in response tothe incubation with zika or chikungunya by flow cytometry.
Results:The incubation of the sperm with Zika decreased mobility and sperm viability, and negatively affected the evaluated functional parameters. In contrast, Chikungunya slightly increased sperm mobility.
Conclusions:The results suggest that Zika virus interacts with human sperm and produces an imbalance between oxidative stress and its antioxidant capacity. This affects sperm mobility and could be involved in sperm quality and fertile potential of infected men.