CMV IGG Antibodies in Semen as a Predictor for Blood Testis Barrier Damage

Prospective cohort study performed in the artificial reproductive technology (ART) unit.

The study will evaluate semen and serum samples from the following groups:

1. Presumably fertile male patients going through ART treatment (for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) or female indications).
2. Subfertile/infertile male patients with abnormal semen analysis.
3. Male patients suffering from unexplained infertility. All samples will be collected on the day of ovum retrieval procedure, and the semen samples will be evaluated only after completing the fertilization process. The samples will be tested for CMV IGG antibodies and testosterone levels in semen and serum. In addition, anti-sperm antibodies will be measured in the serum. The ratio between CMV IGG antibodies in semen and serum will be calculated, and will be compared with presence of hormone profile, semen analysis parameters and ART parameters.