SARS‐CoV‐2 is not found in human semen during mild COVID‐19 acute stage

Fraietta, Renato; Carvalho, Renata Cristina de; Camillo, J.; Gröner, Matheus Ferreira; Truzzi, José Carlos; Petkov, Camila Nogueira; Barradas, Valéria; Homsi, Carolina; Bellei, Nancy; Oehninger, Sergio

doi:10.1111/and.14286

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…There is also a hypothesis that states testicular injury and inflammatory infiltration viral orchitis can lead to the secretion of COVID-19 in semen [ 9 , 6 ]. Our results are similar to Song et al [ 9 ], Omolaoye et al [ 12 ], Pan et al [ 8 ], and Fraietta et al [ 13 ] with negative findings for COV-2 in semen samples. Conversely, Li et al reported positive sample COV-2 status in some patients [ 6 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Effect of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Human Semen: No Evidence of Coronavirus in Semen of Patients

Vahidi

Nabi

Alipoor

et al. 2022

BioMed Research International

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Background. In December 2019, a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-COV-2) was found in China. The coronavirus can impact different organs, as shown by the virus having been detected in urine, blood, oropharyngeal, and feces. This study was done to assess the impact of COVID-19 on semen analysis and to evaluate the existence of the virus in the semen of infected men. Methodology. Forty fertile men with COVID-19 were confirmed by an oropharyngeal sample. The men were divided into two groups. The semen of twenty men in the acute stage of COVID-19 and twenty men in the clinical recovery stage was analyzed, and the parameters of semen were compared between two groups. In addition, a PCR test of patients’ semen was done. Result. The analysis showed that all patients’ semen specimens tested negative. Semen analysis revealed no significant difference in sperm count, concentration, or motility, and the sperm of both groups was found to be normal. However, viability and morphology parameters were significantly lower in men with the acute disease. Conclusion. Coronavirus (COVID-19) was not secreted in the semen of infected men but had a negative effect on the morphology and viability of the sperm of men in the acute stage.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Effect of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Human Semen: No Evidence of Coronavirus in Semen of Patients

Vahidi

Nabi

Alipoor

et al. 2022

BioMed Research International

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“…Some studies have suggested the absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen samples of asymptomatic COVID-19-positive men or those suffering or recovering from mild COVID-19, even though they were still in the acute phase and positive for the virus in the nasopharyngeal swab ( Holtmann et al , 2020 ; Rawlings et al , 2020 ; Best et al , 2021 ; Burke et al , 2021 ; Guo et al. , 2021a ; Gupta et al , 2021 ; Ma et al , 2021 ; Paoli et al , 2021a ; Ruan et al , 2021 ; Scroppo et al , 2021 ; SharMa et al , 2021 ; Temiz et al , 2021 ; Donders et al , 2022 ; Fraietta et al , 2022 ; Huang et al , 2022b ; Pavone et al , 2022 ). Other authors reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen and in the seminal plasma fraction (by PCR testing) in the acute phase and after recovery after mild and moderate COVID-19 in a limited percentage of patients, respectively, in 4/15, 1/6, 1/31, 1/19 and 6/38 cases ( Li et al , 2020a ; Delaroche et al , 2021 ; Machado et al , 2021 ; Purpura et al , 2022 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2, fertility and assisted reproduction

Ata

Vermeulen

Mocanu

et al. 2022

Human Reproduction Update

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BACKGROUND In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the access to and provision of ART treatments. Gradually, knowledge of the virus and its transmission has become available, allowing ART activities to resume. Still, questions on the impact of the virus on human gametes and fertility remain. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This article summarizes published data, aiming to clarify the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 disease on human fertility and assisted reproduction, as well as the impact of vaccination, and from this, provide answers to questions that are relevant for people contemplating pregnancy and for health care professionals. SEARCH METHODS PUBMED/MEDLINE and the WHO COVID-19 database were searched from inception to 5 October 2022 with search terms focusing on ‘SARS-CoV-2’ and gametes, embryos, reproductive function, fertility and ART. Non-English studies and papers published prior to 2020 were excluded, as well as reviews and non-peer reviewed publications. Full papers were assessed for relevance and quality, where feasible. OUTCOMES From the 148 papers included, the following observations were made. The SARS-CoV-2-binding proteins, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2), are expressed in the testis, but co-expression remains to be proven. There is some evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the ejaculate of COVID-19 patients with severe disease, but not in those with mild/moderate disease. SARS-CoV-2 infection can impair spermatogenesis, but this seems to resolve after one spermatogenic cycle. Testosterone levels seem to be lower during and after COVID-19, but long-term data are lacking; disease severity may be associated with testosterone levels. COVID-19 cannot be considered a sexually transmitted disease. There is no co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the myometrium, uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes. Oocytes seem to have the receptors and protease machinery to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, viral RNA in oocytes has not been detected so far. Women contemplating pregnancy following COVID-19 may benefit from screening for thyroid dysfunction. There is a possible (transient) impact of COVID-19 on menstrual patterns. Embryos, and particularly late blastocysts, seem to have the machinery to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most studies have not reported a significant impact of COVID-19 on ovarian reserve, ovarian function or follicular fluid parameters. Previous asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection in females does not seem to negatively affect laboratory and clinical outcomes of ART. There are no data on the minimum required interval, if any, between COVID-19 recovery and ART. There is no evidence of a negative effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on semen parameters or spermatogenesis, ovarian function, ovarian reserve or folliculogenesis. A transient effect on the menstrual cycle has been documented. Despite concerns, cross reactivity between anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies and Syncytin-1, an essential protein in human implantation, is absent. There is no influence of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on patients’ performance during their immediate subsequent ART cycle. Pregnancy rates post-vaccination are similar to those in unvaccinated patients. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This review highlights existing knowledge on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 on fertility and assisted reproduction, but also identifies gaps and offers suggestions for future research. The knowledge presented should help to provide evidence-based advice for practitioners and couples contemplating pregnancy alike, facilitating informed decision-making in an environment of significant emotional turmoil.

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“…The semen of 428 patients of 19 articles was analyzed for possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 ( 22 , 24 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 47 - 50 , 54 – 57 , 59 , 60 - 62 ). Patients included had different severity levels of COVID-19 (from asymptomatic to ICU patients) and semen samples were collected in different periods of the disease.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%