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Reproductive Assistance in HIV-Serodiscordant Couples Where the Man Is Positive

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Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The prevalence of HIV in patients of childbearing age along with increased life expectancy and quality resulting from the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatments has led to an increase in couples in which only one of their members is HIV-positive (serodiscordant couples) aiming parenthood. Sperm-washing followed by assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) has been demonstrated to be an effective and widespread option when the man is positive and wants to have biological children, keeping the risk of viral transmission to a minimum.

The technique consists of the astringent selection of motile sperm, while avoiding the presence of even tiny amounts of other cell types and seminal fluids, based on the fact that sperm cells are not the main reservoir of HIV, which is primarily found in seminal plasma and non-spermatic cells.

The aim of this study is to present and discuss the scientific evidence available regarding the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of sperm-washing in HIV-positive men in ARTs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Andrology Laboratory, Instituto Universitario IVI Valencia, St. Guadassuar Bajo 1, Valencia, 46015, Spain

    Rocío Rivera MSc, Mª Carmen Galbis PhD, MSc & Nicolás Garrido Puchalt PhD, MSc

  2. Ophthalmology Investigation, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Av Gaspar Aguilar 90, Valencia, 46017, Spain

    Mª Carmen Galbis PhD, MSc

Authors
  1. Rocío Rivera MSc
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  2. Mª Carmen Galbis PhD, MSc
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  3. Nicolás Garrido Puchalt PhD, MSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolás Garrido Puchalt PhD, MSc .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 9.baby, Center for Fertility and Family Health, Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Andrea Borini

  2. Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Hospital “L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Maria Valeria Savasi

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Rivera, R., Galbis, M.C., Puchalt, N.G. (2016). Reproductive Assistance in HIV-Serodiscordant Couples Where the Man Is Positive. In: Borini, A., Savasi, M. (eds) Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Infectious Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30112-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30112-9_3

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30112-9

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