Ying Kong1, Yi Liu1, Xiaojing Liu1, Na Li2, Zirong Zhu1, Aiyun Zhang1, Jianxue Liu1, Feng Ye3, Shumei Lin4. 1. Departments of Infectious Disease and Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China. 2. Department of Reproductive Center, Shaanxi Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Xi'an, 710061, China. 3. Departments of Infectious Disease and Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China. fengyuncon@yeah.net. 4. Departments of Infectious Disease and Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China. cnShumeiLin@126.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the mechanism of hepatitis B virus (HBV) father-infant transmission via reproductive cells and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Abandoned in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos of fathers with chronic HBV infection were taken as study objects. HBV mRNA in embryos was detected, and successfully transplanted embryos were followed up to determine the relationship between HBV-infected embryos and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: HBV mRNA signals were detected in one embryo in the group with HBV-positive fathers; the positive rate was 1/18 (5.5%). IVF embryos of HBV-positive fathers with HBV mRNA signals were successfully implanted, but early abortion occurred. CONCLUSIONS: HBV mRNA was found in abandoned IVF embryos of HBV-infected fathers, which confirmed that HBV could not only enter early cleavage embryos via sperm but also replicate in embryos, resulting in HBV father-infant transmission. HBV may interfere with embryonic development and thus affect pregnancy outcome.
PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the mechanism of hepatitis B virus (HBV) father-infant transmission via reproductive cells and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Abandoned in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos of fathers with chronic HBV infection were taken as study objects. HBV mRNA in embryos was detected, and successfully transplanted embryos were followed up to determine the relationship between HBV-infected embryos and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS:HBV mRNA signals were detected in one embryo in the group with HBV-positive fathers; the positive rate was 1/18 (5.5%). IVF embryos of HBV-positive fathers with HBV mRNA signals were successfully implanted, but early abortion occurred. CONCLUSIONS:HBV mRNA was found in abandoned IVF embryos of HBV-infected fathers, which confirmed that HBV could not only enter early cleavage embryos via sperm but also replicate in embryos, resulting in HBV father-infant transmission. HBV may interfere with embryonic development and thus affect pregnancy outcome.