Cryosurvival of herpes simplex virus-2 during cryopreservation of human spermatozoa.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a sexually transmitted agent which has potential association with cervical cancer, as well as with high morbidity and mortality in perinatal infection. Its incidence is estimated just after gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Cryobanking of human semen is accepted worldwide in therapeutic use for both husband and donor. Serious consequences could follow the clinical applications of cryobanked human semen in insemination, if some ejaculates contain HSV and the virus survives the processing of semen in cryopreservation. There is then the likelihood of infection of the female, and through her, the child, generally during parturition.