COVID‐19 and male reproduction: Current research and unknown factors

Abstract

Background The testes are suspected target organs of SARS‐CoV‐2. However, the results of studies on the effect of COVID‐19 on male reproduction are controversial. Objective To summarize current research on the effects of COVID‐19 on male reproduction. Methods A systematic review of English literature was performed using PubMed and Ovid Embase up to 18 August 2020. Research articles on the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen, the effects of the virus on semen parameters and any pathological changes in the testes were evaluated. Results Fourteen studies were included in this review. Six of 176 survivors (3.4%) and 1 of 13 decedents (7.7%) in 2 of 12 studies were positive for viral RNA in semen and testicular tissue, respectively. After stratification of patient groups, we found that the virus was detected in the relatively early stage of infection, 6–16 days after disease onset, in semen from survivors. Two of 3 studies reported that some participants had substandard semen quality after COVID‐19, and 1 study found that COVID‐19 may impair semen quality in a severity‐related manner. Pathological analyses showed that injuries to the seminiferous tubule occurred in all decedents (N = 11). Another study found that orchitic and testis fibrin microthrombi occurred in patients with fatal disease (100%, N = 2). Scrotal discomfort of orchiepididymitis or spermatic cord inflammation has also been reported in COVID‐19 patients. Conclusion Current studies suggest that semen is rarely considered a carrier of SARS‐CoV‐2 genetic material during the infection period but not in the semen of recovered patients. Fatal COVID‐19 may cause testicular structure damage without the presence of virus.

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination and infertility treatment outcomes

“…Furthermore, although more research is needed, preliminary data have shown that vaccination has no effect on sperm parameters (6). Some studies have suggested that the infection itself can have an impact on sperm parameters (19), but data are still lacking regarding the severity and infection status at the time of semen collection.…”

Serum Albumin Levels are a Predictor of COVID-19 Patient Prognosis: Evidence from a Single Cohort in Chongqing, China

“…1,2 Additionally, the lungs are not unique targets of SARS-CoV -2 and other targets include the heart, liver, kidney and the male reproductive system. [3][4][5][6][7] These studies have suggested that COVID-19 might cause systemic disease.…”

The Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Sperm Quality and Male Fertility

“…It can also affect male fertility by being infected locally or through spermatogonia stem cells (27). Although it is not clear how much these viruses are present in semen (28), it is extremely important to assess the presence of COVID-19 RNA in semen samples because even a minor risk is not reasonable in treating healthy couples for infertility reasons (29,30). In this study, COVID-19 RNA did not exist in the collected semen samples.…”