Effects of Covid-19 on male reproductive system

Gröner, Matheus Ferreira; Carvalho, Renata Cristina de; Camillo, J.; Ferreira, Paulo Roberto Abrão; Fraietta, Renato

doi:10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2021.99.04

Cited by 20 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…In relation to biological factors, we know that the testicles may be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, given the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 receptors present in testicular tissue, why is the infection not clinically evident in the testes [36]? Studies based on single-cell RNA sequencing (sc RNAseq) in humans did not find any ACE2/TMPRSS2 co-expression in any type of testicular tissue [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Paoli

Pallotti

Nigro

et al. 2021

J Endocrinol Invest

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Purpose Due to relevant repercussions on reproductive medicine, we aimed to evaluate feasibility of RT-PCR as a detection method of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in seminal fluid. Methods A qualitative determination of the RT-PCR assays in semen was performed through different approaches: (1) efficiency of RNA extraction from sperm and seminal plasma was determined using PRM1 and PRM2 mRNA and a heterologous system as control; (2) samples obtained by diluting viral preparation from a SARS-CoV-2 panel (virus cultured in Vero E6 cell lines) were tested; (3) viral presence in different fractions of seminal fluid (whole sample, seminal plasma and post-centrifugation pellet) was evaluated. Semen samples from mild and recovered COVID-19 subjects were collected by patients referring to the Infectious Disease Department of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital - “Sapienza” University of Rome. Control subjects were recruited at the Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini'' of the same hospital. Results The control panel using viral preparations diluted in saline and seminal fluid showed the capability to detect viral RNA presence with Ct values depending on the initial viral concentration. All tested semen samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2, regardless of the nasopharyngeal swab result or seminal fluid fraction. Conclusion These preliminary data show that RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing appears to be a feasible method for the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid, supported by results of the control panel. The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in semen is extremely important for reproductive medicine, especially in assisted reproductive technology and sperm cryopreservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Paoli

Pallotti

Nigro

et al. 2021

J Endocrinol Invest

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“…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.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

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

Piroozmanesh

Cheraghi

Naserpoor

et al. 2021

Jentashapir J Cell Mol Biol

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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may lead to the infertility of men. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile men. Methods: A total of 100 males were selected and divided into two groups: (1) patients in convalescence (patients suffering from COVID-19 infection in pharyngeal swab in accordance with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] or antibodies); (2) negative control group (without antibodies). Semen and blood samples were gathered from all subjects. In the native semen, immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies in the blood were confirmed, and COVID-19 was detected via RT-PCR. To this end, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, semen analysis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and sperm DNA integrity were assessed. Results: Results demonstrated that sperm concentration, motility, sperm viability, and TAC significantly reduced in fertile males with virus infection. In comparison with the control group, sperm DNA integrity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Data indicated that the semen volume was not significantly correlated with COVID-19, and there was a significantly negative correlation between sperm concentration, sperm total motility, sperm vitality, sperm normal forms, and TAC with COVID-19. Sperm DNA fragmentation index had a significant and positive correlation with COVID-19 (P < 0.05). In addition, reproductive hormones significantly reduced in fertile males with COVID-19 infection (P < 0.05). Conclusions: COVID-19 infection has a negative influence on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile males.

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“…It has been reported that SARS-CoV-1 is associated with testicular damage, orchitis, germ cell destruction, and spermatogenesis dysfunction [ 14 ]. Because SARS-CoV-2 is genomically similar to SARS-CoV-1 and has a relationship with ACE-2 receptors, which are found in many tissues including the testes, many studies have been conducted on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples, sexual transmission via seminal fluid, and potential effects on male reproductive health [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 ]. Recently published studies on SARS-CoV-2 and semen have revealed some contradictory results [ 5 , 6 , 9 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) and the Medications Administered for Its Treatment Impair Testicular Functions?

et al. 2021

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Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted primarily via respiratory droplets and enters host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors. ACE-2 receptors have been identified in many tissues including testes. The aim of the study has been to investigate the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and its relative treatment on male reproductive health. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis has been performed on 49 recovered COVID-19 patients who had semen analysis prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who had a recovery time lag of at least 3 months have been re-examined, and 29 eligible patients with no andrological problems have been enrolled in the study. Following a detailed physical examination and retrieval of medical history, the values of semen analysis and serum sex hormone parameters have been collected and compared before and after COVID-19 infection. The p value of <0.05 has been considered significant. Results: The average age of the 29 patients has been 31.21 ± 5.48 (range: 18–41) years. Favipiravir has been co-administered with hydroxychloroquine in 17 patients, while the remaining 12 received favipiravir treatment without hydroxychloroquine. The average time between clinical recovery from COVID-19 and collection of semen has been 4.52 ± 1.36 (range: 3–8) months. Before and after COVID-19, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, and prolactin levels, as well as all semen parameters, have been comparable. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that COVID-19 and its treatment with favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine did not affect spermatogenesis and serum androgen levels in the long-term period. Further clinical studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm and support our findings.

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Effects of Covid-19 on male reproductive system

Cited by 20 publications

References 40 publications

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid

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

Do SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) and the Medications Administered for Its Treatment Impair Testicular Functions?

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