The Cellular Impact of the ZIKA Virus on Male Reproductive Tract Immunology and Physiology

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported by several groups as an important virus causing pathological damage in the male reproductive tract. ZIKV can infect and persist in testicular somatic and germ cells, as well as spermatozoa, leading to cell death and testicular atrophy. ZIKV has also been detected in semen samples from ZIKV-infected patients. This has huge implications for human reproduction. Global scientific efforts are being applied to understand the mechanisms related to arboviruses persistency, pathogenesis, and host cellular response to suggest a potential target to develop robust antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we discuss the cellular modulation of the immunologic and physiologic properties of the male reproductive tract environment caused by arboviruses infection, focusing on ZIKV. We also present an overview of the current vaccine effects and therapeutic targets against ZIKV infection that may impact the testis and male fertility.

Zika Virus

“…Sertoli cells, which are responsible for protection of the spermatogenesis by forming the blood-testis barrier, support ZIKV replication, and their transcriptional profile can be significantly modified by ZIKV infection. ZIKV infection can promote cell death in spermatogonia and thus damage the reproductive male system [54,55]. These findings, together with a mouse model study suggest that ZIKV could lead to male infertility; however, more studies are needed to confirm this statement [56].…”

Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: Zika virus infection

“…From the male reproductive point of view, in cases where the virus reaches the testicle, Zika virus aggression to testicular tissues is pointed out, with a prognosis that shall depend on the intensity of the immune and inflammatory response, varying from a simple reversible spermatozoon number reduction to testicular atrophy 49 , 50 . Evaluation conducted among men returning from Zika virus infection endemic areas to a European city without mosquito transmission found macroscopic hematospermia in 9.1%, microscopic hematospermia in 81.8%, and oligospermia in 60% of them 51 .…”

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo vírus Zika

“…Del punto de vista reproductivo masculino, en los casos en que el virus alcanza el testículo, se apunta la agresión del virus Zika a los tejidos testiculares, cuyo pronóstico dependerá de la intensidad de la respuesta inmune e inflamatoria, pudiendo variar de simple reducción reversible del número de espermatozoides hasta atrofia testicular. 49,50 Una evaluación realizada entre hombres retornando de áreas endémicas de la infección por el virus Zika para una ciudad europea sin transmisión por mosquitos encontró hematospermia macroscópica en 9,1%, hematospermia microscópica en 81,8% y oligospermia en 60% de ellos. 51…”