Use of assisted reproductive technology to prevent the transmission of HIV-1 in HIV-discordant couples desiring children

Relatively little is known about sites of HIV infection and regulation of the infection in the genital tract. It is imperative to understand the mechanisms of HIV-1 infection of the genital tract to develop methods to control HIV-1 transmission. New methods are being developed through use of assisted reproductive technologies. These approaches include: treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; sperm-washing techniques for partners with HIV-1 infection, which is provided in conjunction with artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection; vaginal microbicides; and HIV-1 vaccines.