COVID-19 may influence human fertility and sexuality in several ways. Different
cell types in gonads show a constitutive expression of angiotensin-converting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which
provide potential entry pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In addition to the biological
effects of a COVID-19 infection on the gonads, the impact of the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic on mental health issues and sexual behavior may affect
reproduction. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the influence of
COVID-19 on the gonads and discusses possible consequences on human fertility.
In this context, the close interaction between the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
in response to COVID-19-related stress is discussed. Some women noticed changes
in their menstrual cycle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be due to
psychological stress, for example. In addition, occasional cases of reduced
oocyte quality and ovarian function are described after COVID-19 infection. In
men, COVID-19 may cause a short-term decrease in fertility by damaging
testicular tissue and/or impairing spermatogenesis. Moreover, decreased
ratio testosterone/LH and FSH/LH in COVID-19 compared to
aged-matched healthy men has been reported. Available data do not suggest any
effect of the available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on fertility. The effects of long
COVID on human fertility have been reported and include cases with premature
ovarian failure and oligomenorrhoea in women and erectile dysfunction in men.
Despite the increasing knowledge about the effects of COVID-19 infections on
human gonads and fertility, the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
cannot yet be assessed in this context.