Prior and novel coronaviruses, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and human reproduction: what is known?

Abstract

Objective: To summarize current understanding of the effects of novel and prior coronaviruses on human reproduction, specifically male and female gametes, and in pregnancy. Design: Review of English publications in PubMed and Embase to April 6, 2020. Method(s): Articles were screened for reports including coronavirus, reproduction, pathophysiology, and pregnancy. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Reproductive outcomes, effects on gametes, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal complications. Result(s): Seventy-nine reports formed the basis of the review. Coronavirus binding to cells involves the S1 domain of the spike protein to receptors present in reproductive tissues, including angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), CD26, Ezrin, and cyclophilins. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) may cause severe orchitis leading to germ cell destruction in males. Reports indicate decreased sperm concentration and motility for 72-90 days following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Gonadotropin-dependent expression of ACE2 was found in human ovaries, but it is unclear whether SARS-Coronavirus 2 (CoV-2) adversely affects female gametogenesis. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 infection has a lower maternal case fatality rate than SARS or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but anecdotal reports suggest that infected, asymptomatic women may develop respiratory symptoms postpartum. Coronavirus Disease 2019 infections in pregnancy are associated with preterm delivery. Postpartum neonatal transmission from mother to child has been reported. Conclusion(s): Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection may affect adversely some pregnant women and their offspring. Additional studies are needed to assess effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male and female fertility. (Fertil Steril Ò 2020;113:1140-9. Ó2020 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) El resumen está disponible en Español al final del artículo.

Significance between Air pollutants, Meteorological Factors and COVID-19 Infections: Probable Evidences in India

“…The disease outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China in the month of December, 2019 (Hellewell et al, 2020;Lu et al, 2020.;Ma et al, 2020;Remuzzi and Remuzzi, 2020;. In consecutive days, the disease spread rapidly in the nearby countries and rest of the world, which became a global human health degrade issue (Breslin et al, 2020;Chong et al, 2020;Her, 2020;Lodigiani et al, 2020;Niu et al, 2020;Segars et al, 2020;Shahzad et al, 2020;Wu et al, 2020). As of 23 rd Apr, 2020, a total of 25,44,792 confirmed cases of had been reported globally, including more than 21,700 cases in India, and more than 17,5,690 reported deaths globally (WHO, 2020).…”

COVID-19 During Pregnancy and Puerperium – A Review by the Austrian Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG)

“…In keiner der großen Serien (jeweils > 100 Fälle) kam es zu mütterlichen Todesfällen, und die Erkrankung verlief überwiegend (> 90 %) mild, was sich auch mit der Beobachtung aus kleineren Serien deckt, in welchen ebenfalls keine mütterlichen Todesfälle berichtet wurden [7,8,10,12,17,18]. [5,19]. Eine große chinesische Studie berichtet, dass CO-VID-19 nicht mit einer erhöhten Rate an spontanen Fehlgeburten vergesellschaftet war [10].…”

“…Weiters gibt es auch keine Berichte über eine eventuelle Beeinflussung der Rate an Fehlbildungen, da keine ausreichenden Daten zur COVID- 19 [22].…”

Does Endometriosis Increase Susceptibility to COVID–19 Infections? A case-control study in Women of Reproductive Age

“…ACE 2 protein is also effective in the physiology and pathology of the reproductive system, including the testicles and ovaries, and fertility processes (9). COVID-19 may also affect the quality and quantity of sperm production, as well as the production of sex hormones, leading to decreased libido (10).…”