Research

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Title :

Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in infertility: causative agent or innocent bystander?

Area of research :

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Kapil Goyal, Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Infertility affects around 48 million people worldwide and can be caused by various infectious and non-infectious factors. Non-infectious factors include social, genetic, endocrine, and lifestyle habits. Infertility can also be induced by multiple infections caused by bacteria, protozoan parasites, and viruses like HIV, HsV, and HHV-6. A WHO multinational study found that female infertility is seen in 35% of cases in infertile couples. HHV-6, a double-stranded DNA virus, has been identified as a potential cause of infertility. HHV-6A, a double-stranded DNA virus, has been found in 43% of endometrial biopsies of primary infertile women and 0% in fertile women. It has also been found in endometrial biopsy samples of women suffering from spontaneous abortions and recurrent implantation failure. The virus changes the immune profile of infertile women, making the endometrium less permissible for implantation. It also changes the host's miRNA expression, leading to increased implantation failure and preeclampsia. There may be a significant correlation between HHV-6 and infertility. This study aims to discuss the presence of HHV-6 in infertile women and its role in modulating miRNA expression and immune profile.

Co-PI:

Dr. shalini Gainder, Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh-160012, Dr. Mini P singh, Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh-160012, Dr. Arnab Ghosh, Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh-160012, Dr. Bharti Joshi, Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh-160012

Total Budget (INR):

42,84,010

Organizations involved