Effects of moderate COVID-19 infection on semen oxidative status and parameters 14 and 120 days after diagnosis

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 . Because COVID-19 is a multisystem infection, there are some concerns regarding its possible effects on male fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on semen oxidative status and parameters 14 and 120 days after diagnosis in patients presenting with moderate infection (defined as respiratory symptoms, with or without fever, with S p O 2 ,93% and .90% and lung involvement ,50%). Semen samples were obtained from 20 participants at two time points: the first sample on Day 14 and the second on Day 120 after diagnosis. Semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability) were evaluated, as were levels of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sperm DNA fragmentation. Semen parameters, including sperm motility and DNA integrity, improved at 120 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis relative to values at 14 days. In addition, ROS and MDA levels were significantly reduced in patients 120 days after infection, and TAC increased at 120 days compared with 14 days (during the acute stage of infection). In conclusion, the present study shows that the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on sperm properties caused by oxidative stress decrease up to Day 120 after diagnosis.

The potential role of COVID-19 in the induction of DNA damage

“…This later work suggests that in severe COVID-19, there is a higher risk to developing DNA oxidative damage, perhaps in part due to sustained oxygen supplementation during in-hospital patient care. Likewise, a study aimed in determining DNA fragmentation in sperm cells, and semen quality of patients with mild cases of COVID-19, found that DNA fragmentation in the sperm cells and oxidative stress markers were higher at 14 days after diagnosis, compared with levels in the same patients 120 days after diagnosis [ 90 , 91 ]. However, as in the previous studies, this work lacked a control group of non-infected subjects.…”

Oxidative Stress and Male Fertility: Role of Antioxidants and Inositols

“…Clinical studies report that SARS-CoV2 infection increases the concentration of ROS, together with Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1283 2 of 20 malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, such a virus seems to reduce the percentage of motile spermatozoan, impairing both motility and morphology [12,13].…”

COVID‐19 and male infertility: An update

“…20 These data, suggesting oxidative stress is a significant contributor to the compromised semen quality seen in patients following COVID-19 infection, have been supported in independent studies. 21 However a causative link between oxidative stress and the decline in semen quality observed following COVID-19 infection has yet to be formally demonstrated.…”