References

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus in semen tested during the COVID19 emergency era

HAUSER, Alexander et al. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 12, n. 7, aug. 2024. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5426. Date accessed: 09 dec. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i7.5426. Download PDF.

CMV appeared in semen twice as often as HIV during the COVID‑19 period, revealing frequent viral shedding in semen. It also reports that 43 babies were born safely—out of 82 embryo transfers resulting in 32 pregnancies—with no transmission of these viruses.

Cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus in semen of homosexual men.

Lupton J, Vernamonti J, McCabe C, Noble J, Yin HZ, Eyre RC, Kiessling AA.
Fertil Steril. 2014 Feb;101(2):350-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.10.040. Epub 2013 Dec 5

The study reports that 45% of semen samples from HIV-positive men contained CMV, even when blood tests showed no sign of the virus. It also shows that men with weaker immune systems were more likely to shed CMV in semen.

CMV Hearing and Vision Loss in Infants

Embryos, Eggs and Ethics

Timing is everything in the human embryo.

Kiessling AA.
Nat Biotechnol. 2010 Oct;28(10):1025-6. doi: 10.1038/nbt1010-1025

Precise timing of gene activation plays a critical role in the early stages of human embryo development. The study highlights that even slight disruptions in this timing could affect how well an embryo progresses.

Eggs alone.

Kiessling AA.
Nature. 2005 Mar 10;434(7030):145.

Human eggs can activate without sperm in a process called parthenogenesis, producing early-stage embryos known as parthenotes that may generate stem cells. Dr. Kiessling proposes that parthenotes—distinct from fertilized embryos—could offer a less controversial source of stem cells for treating diseases like diabetes, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s, while calling for clear terminology to support ethical guidelines and policymaking.

What is an embryo?

Kiessling AA.
Connecticut Law Review. 2004 Summer;36(4):1051-92. PDF.

Confusion about the terminology used to describe early-stage human eggs is slowing progress on promising research into treatments for incurable diseases. The article argues for using more accurate terms—like “parthenote” and “ovasome”—to better reflect the biology and avoid misunderstandings about the ethical implications of this work.

Preimplantation development of mouse and human embryos biopsied at cleavage stages using a modified displacement technique.

Pierce KE, Michalopoulos J, Kiessling AA, Seibel MM, Zilberstein M.
Hum Reprod. 1997 Feb;12(2):351-6.

A modified embryo biopsy method was tested on four- and eight-cell mouse embryos and used on human embryos for genetic testing. Most embryos continued developing after the procedure, and over 90% of the isolated cells survived and divided, supporting this approach as a reliable alternative to standard biopsy techniques.

Parameters that predict success for natural cycle in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Seibel MM, Kearnan M, Kiessling A.
Fertil Steril. 1995 Jun;63(6):1251-4.

Age strongly predicted success in natural cycle IVF, while day 3 LH levels were linked to poorer outcomes. Most pregnancies occurred within two cycles, showing that good patient selection can significantly improve results.

The use of oral contraceptives to regulate oocyte retrieval.

Patton PE, Burry KA, Wolf DP, Kiessling AA, Craemer MJ.
Fertil Steril. 1988 Apr;49(4):716-8.

Using oral contraceptives (OCs) before starting IVF treatment helped regulate the timing of egg retrieval without lowering pregnancy success rates. The approach allowed for more efficient scheduling while still achieving pregnancies in nearly one out of four embryo transfers.

Bacteria in Semen

Detection and identification of bacterial DNA in semen.

Kiessling AA, Desmarais BM, Yin HZ, Loverde J, Eyre RC.
Fertil Steril. 2008 Nov;90(5):1744-56. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.08.083. Epub 2008 Jan 14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18191853/

Bacterial DNA appears in over half of the semen samples analyzed, including from men seeking fertility evaluation or vasectomy. Semen that contained bacterial DNA also showed fewer normal-shaped sperm and fewer immune cells.

HIV in Semen

Detection of drug-resistant HIV-1 strains.

Kiessling AA, Eyre SJ, Desmarais BD.
Methods Mol Biol. 2005;304:287-313.

Drug-resistant strains of HIV-1 can be identified by analyzing the virus’s genetic sequence, especially in proteins targeted by therapy. Advances in sequencing have made it easier and more affordable to tailor treatments to the specific drug resistance of each patient’s virus.

Isolation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from semen and vaginal fluids.

Kiessling AA.
Methods Mol Biol. 2005;304:71-86.

HIV exists in semen and vaginal fluids both as free-floating virus and inside infected cells. Researchers developed special lab techniques to grow and study HIV from these fluids, despite challenges like bacteria in vaginal fluid and toxic effects of semen on immune cells.

Multiple drug resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus in semen but not blood of a man on antiretroviral therapy.

Eyre RC, Zheng G, Kiessling AA.
Urology. 2000 Apr;55(4):591.

Drug-resistant HIV mutations appeared in semen from a man with asymptomatic prostatitis and high white blood cell counts in his semen. The report shows that the male reproductive tract may contribute to the development of antiviral resistance.

Analysis of human immunodeficiency virus in semen: indications of a genetically distinct virus reservoir.

Byrn RA, Kiessling AA.
J Reprod Immunol. 1998 Dec;41(1-2):161-76.

Genetic analysis shows that HIV in semen often differs from HIV in blood, with virus levels and genetic sequences frequently not matching between the two. In one donor, drug-resistant HIV appeared in blood but not in semen, suggesting each area may respond differently to treatment.

Expression of human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat-coupled genes in early cleaving embryos.

Kiessling AA.
J Reprod Immunol. 1998 Dec;41(1-2):95-104.

Mouse and human embryos injected with an HIV-linked reporter gene began expressing the gene within 48 hours, showing that early-stage embryos can activate HIV genetic material. The results suggest that if a human egg is infected with HIV at fertilization, it may begin producing viral proteins during early development.

Human immunodeficiency virus in semen arises from a genetically distinct virus reservoir.

Kiessling AA, Fitzgerald LM, Zhang D, Chhay H, Brettler D, Eyre RC, Steinberg J, McGowan K, Byrn RA.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1998 Apr;14 Suppl 1:S33-41.

HIV found in semen comes from a separate reservoir than HIV in blood, with clear genetic differences between the two. Evidence shows that the virus can replicate independently in the male reproductive tract, even during antiretroviral therapy.

HIV-1 in semen: an isolated virus reservoir.

Byrn RA, Zhang D, Eyre R, McGowan K, Kiessling AA.
Lancet. 1997 Oct 18;350(9085):1141.

Reports HIV‑1 found in semen even when it is undetectable in blood, suggesting semen may act as a separate reservoir of the virus. Highlights the need for semen-specific testing and monitoring.

PCR amplification of HIV and cellular DNA sequences in formaldehyde-fixed, immunoreactive white blood cells.

Fitzgerald LM, Yin HZ, Kiessling AA.
Biotechniques. 1993 Jul;15(1):128-33.

New semen analysis methods use formaldehyde fixation at the time of ejaculation to disinfect pathogens while preserving cell integrity and genetic material. This approach enables identification of immune cells and detection of pathogen DNA through simplified PCR, making routine testing safer and more accessible in clinical laboratories.

Formaldehyde-fixed semen is suitable and safer for leukocyte detection and DNA amplification

Ann A. Kiessling, Hui-Zhong Yin, Anil Purohit, Mark Kowal, Barbara Wolf
Fertility and Sterility, Volume 60, Issue 3, 1993, Pages 576-581, ISSN 0015-0282, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)56180-9.
Keywords: Semen; formaldehyde-fixation; immunohistochemistry; human immunodeficiency virus; PCR

A breakthrough technique uses formaldehyde to safely fix semen samples at the time of collection, disinfecting pathogens while preserving key cellular and genetic material. This method makes it possible to identify immune cells and detect pathogen DNA using simplified PCR, opening the door to safer, routine semen testing in clinical labs.

Semen transmission of human immunodeficiency virus.

Kiessling AA.
Fertil Steril. 1992 Oct;58(4):667-9.

Multiple studies confirm that HIV can appear in semen both inside infected cells and as free-floating virus particles, even when blood tests show no sign of infection. Detection rates vary widely depending on the testing method, but evidence shows that some semen samples contain only cell-free virus, pointing to different possible sources of HIV within the male reproductive tract that are still not fully understood. PDF

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus in cell-free seminal fluid.

Borzy MS, Connell RS, Kiessling AA.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 1988;1(5):419-24.

High concentrations of cell-free HIV were found in semen, reaching levels greater than those reported in blood or other body fluids. The findings suggest that the male reproductive tract may serve as a reservoir for HIV, which has important implications for treatment and prevention.

Sperm-associated retroviruses in the mouse epididymis.

Kiessling AA, Crowell RC, Connell RS.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Dec;84(23):8667-71.

Retrovirus particles were found attached to sperm in the epididymis of healthy male mice across four different strains. The findings suggest that sperm and epididymal fluid may play a role in spreading a distinct type of murine retrovirus within the reproductive tract.