A novel and effective procedure for removing HIV-1 RNA from human semen

The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of a novel treatment designed to remove HIV from semen by combining multiple density gradients and a proteolytic enzyme and to evaluate sperm viability after treatment. The procedure was effective for reducing viral copies in spiked semen to clinically insignificant levels. The procedure had a statistical vs. clinical significance on reducing the motility (but not supravital staining) of cryopreserved sperm at 0 and 2 h; however, no differences were observed after 24 h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]