Presence of hepatitis B virus in oocytes and embryos: a risk of hepatitis B virus transmission during in vitro fertilization

ObjectiveTo define the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through oocytes and embryos from chronic HBV carriers.DesignLaboratory-based study.SettingResearch laboratory in a university hospital.Patient(s)Thirty-one couples with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative women and HBsAg-positive men, 41 couples with HBsAg-positive women and HBsAg-negative men, and 39 seronegative couples.Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)Hepatitis B virus DNA and RNA analyses in oocytes and embryos, and the location of virus particles containing HBsAgs.Result(s)Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected in 3 of 18 male HBsAg-positive/female HBsAg-negative couples (and in 13 of 84 embryos) and 3 of 14 male HBsAg-negative/female HBsAg-positive couples (and in 15 of 71 oocytes and embryos). Hepatitis B virus RNA was detected in 9 of 13 male HBsAg-positive/female HBsAg-negative couples (and in 39 of 52 embryos) and 8 of 17 male HBsAg-negative/female HBsAg-positive couples (and in 30 of 63 oocytes and embryos). The HBsAg, which is present in the nuclei and cytoplasm of oocytes and embryos, was detected in 6 of 10 male HBsAg-negative/female HBsAg-positive couples (and in 13 of 20 oocytes and embryos). Hepatitis B virus DNA, HBV RNA, and HBsAg were not found in 135 oocytes and embryos from 39 seronegative couples.Conclusion(s)The presence of HBV in oocytes and embryos suggests the possibility of vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line.