title: Assessing the reproductive performance of men co-infected with HIV-1 and hepatitis C undergoing assisted reproduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the reproductive performance of men co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) undergoing assisted reproduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 217 consecutive ART cycles performed on 106 HIV-1 serodiscordant couples between August 1997 and March 2004, in which 28 men (26%) were seropositive for HCV and HIV-1 (group 1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient demographics and laboratory testing were compared to reproductive outcomes of men undergoing similar treatment but infected only with HIV-1 (group 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Co-infected men and their partners were of similar age as men infected only with HIV-1. Comparing group 1 to group 2, like values were noted for HIV-1 viral loads [1,993 +/- 1,140 copies/ml (mean +/- SE) vs. 1,659 +/- 487 copies/ml]; CD4 counts (520 +/- 98 vs. 604 +/- 38 mm(-3)); and semen parameters. IVF performance and outcomes were similar, with fertilization rate (0.68 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.02); number of normally cleaving embryos (6.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.3); embryo implantation rate (0.27 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.02); and clinical pregnancy rate (40 vs. 29%). Although the male mortality rate was low in both groups, morbidity among co-infected men was significantly higher. Seven of 28 men (25%) had detectable HCV viral loads, and 14 (50%) had elevated liver function tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men co-infected with HCV and HIV-1 do reasonably well undergoing ART to prevent transmission of viruses to their partners and children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1790 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA.
authors.forename: Micheline C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pena
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Nakhuda
authors.forename: Melvin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D019562:Viral Load