Culture of cytomegalovirus from frozen-thawed semen.
Twenty-four donors in a TID program were tested for previous exposure to CMV. Four (16.7%) donors were seropositive for CMV. One donor's semen was culture-positive for CMV following cryopreservation and storage at -196 degrees C for up to 9 months. Culture reports for blinded specimens from the same ejaculate were all in agreement. Days to viral detection following inoculation of test cells were similar for specimens from the same ejaculate. Seminal quality was not adversely affected during the period of viral shedding. This appears to be the first report of survival of this previously reported cold labile virus in frozen-thawed semen.
Hammitt
D G
DG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
Aschenbrenner
D W
DW
Williamson
R A
RA
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology*; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*