The interference of COVID-19 in the male reproductive system: Important questions and the future of assisted reproduction techniques

Potential therapeutic agents to COVID-19: An update review on antiviral therapy, immunotherapy, and cell therapy

“…This is due to the high expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in lungs and bronchial branches cells in the respiratory tract. Other systems in the body, including the cardiovascular system (CVS), central nervous system ( CNS) , gastrointestinal tract (GIT), female and male reproductive systems, can be infected due to the presence of virus-targeted receptors in their cells [22] , [23] , [24] . Endothelial cells and CVS have a high expression of ACE2, which is effective in regulating blood pressure and myocardial contractility.…”

“…However, the expression of TMPRSS2 is rare in testicular tissue (15). Therefore, there are doubts about whether the testicle is a vulnerable organ in COVID-19 [22] , [30] .…”

The other side of COVID‐19 pandemic: Effects on male fertility

“…Another molecule effective at entering the cell of the SARS‐CoV‐2 is host proteases like transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), which cleaves the viral S protein to induce a conformational change that allows to a fusion of the virus and host cell membranes 34 . TMPRSS2 is the key molecule for the successful infection process 35 . This protease is more expressed in human tissues than ACE 2; co‐expression of ACE 2 and TMPRSS2 has been shown in the testis, endometrium, and placenta.…”

“…Recent studies have reported that SARS‐CoV‐2 is easily found in human bodily fluids 35 . The presence of a virus in a semen sample is still a topic of discussion and research due to the small number of studies.…”

“…If the presence of the virus in semen is definitively proved by studies, assisted reproduction techniques will also be affected. For instance, testing all male patients like HIV or Hepatitis B/C cases, and using appropriate sperm washing techniques, or paying extra attention to sperm freezing for COVID‐19 positive patients 35 …”