Detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA in sperm from HIV-1-infected men.
OBJECTIVE
Sexual transmission is a major mode of the spread of HIV-1, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study, we sought to assess the cellular reservoirs of HIV-1 proviral DNA in the semen of HIV-1-infected men.


METHODS
An in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR), which amplifies specific genes within intact cells, was used to evaluate levels of HIV-1 provirus in seminal cells from HIV-1-infected men in various stages of clinical disease.


RESULTS
Initial studies demonstrated HIV-1 provirus in relatively low numbers (1:100 to 1:6000) of both the seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. To extend these findings, 94 seminal samples from HIV-1-infected men were evaluated. HIV-1 proviral DNA was detected in seminal cells of a significant percentage of HIV-1-infected men (45%) at all stages of clinical immunodeficiency. Both seminal mononuclear cells and sperm (35 and 33% of samples studied, respectively) harbored HIV-1 proviral sequences. HIV-1-harboring sperm are shown to stain positively for HIV-1 in the mid-pieces of these cells, with rarer staining of the sperm heads.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-1 proviral DNA can be demonstrated by IS-PCR in seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. The role played by proviral DNA in these cells in the sexual transmission of this retroviral agent will require further study.
Bagasra
O
O
Dorrance H. Hamilton Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Farzadegan
H
H
Seshamma
T
T
Oakes
J W
JW
Saah
A
A
Pomerantz
R J
RJ
D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral