Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive men in serodiscordant couples: Effects on the assisted reproductive outcomes

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in men of serodiscordant couples (SDCs) on the reproductive outcomes. Materials and methods: 134 infertile couples were included in this retrospective single-centre cohort study. 66 couples had HBsAg- seropositive male and seronegative female, while 68 couples were controls with both seronegative men and women. Overall, 134 fresh in- vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treat- ments were performed. As main outcome measures, on the day of fresh IVF/ICSI cycle, we assessed seminal parameters before and after sperm capacitation. Two-pronuclear (2PN) fertilization, 1-2-3PN fertilization, cleavage, miscarriage, pregnancy and live birth rates were collected. Results: No significant differences were found between groups in terms of oocytes retrieved, oocytes injected and embryos obtained ( p = 0.64, p = 0.97 and p = 0.40, respectively). 2PN fertilization rate (FR) was comparable among groups ( p = 0.51). 1-2-3PN FR was significantly lower in the HBsAg group than in the control group (66.6% vs 69.7%, respectively). The clinical pregnancy per cycle, implantation, miscar- riage and live birth rate were comparable between the HBsAg group and the control group. The median sperm concentration/ml and total sperm count, measured at baseline and after sperm preparation, was comparable between groups (p>0.05). There was a trend toward significant lower motility a + b (35.0% vs. 55%; p < 0.05) in the HBsAg group at baseline and after sperm preparation ( p < 0.05). Discussion: HBV infected men have the same chance to father their own biological children, compared to seronegative patients.