ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into sperm chromosomes in hepatitis B patients and the features of its integration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sperm chromosomes of 14 subjects (5 healthy controls and 9 HB patients, including 1 acute hepatitis B, 2 chronic active hepatitis B, 4 chronic persistent hepatitis B, 2 HBsAg chronic carriers with no clinical symptoms) were prepared using interspecific in vitro fertilization between zona-free hamster oocytes and human spermatozoa. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to sperm chromosome spreads was carried out with biotin-labeled full length HBV DNA probe to detect the specific HBV DNA sequences in the sperm chromosomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Specific fluorescent signal spots for HBV DNA were seen in sperm chromosomes of one patient with chronic persistent hepatitis B. In 9 (9/42) sperm chromosome complements containing fluorescent signal spots, one presented 5 obvious FISH spots and the others 2 to 4 signals. The fluorescence intensity showed significant difference among the signal spots. The distribution of signal sites among chromosomes seems to be random.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV could integrate into human sperm chromosomes. Results suggest that the possibility of vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line to the next generation is present.</p>