Semen parameters and sex hormones as affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review

Bao, Jiaqi; Guo, Zhihui; He, Jiarui; Leng, Taiyang; Wei, Zichun; Wang, Conghui; Chen, Fei

doi:10.1016/j.purol.2022.09.004

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Specifically, increased FSH and LH levels and decreased sperm concentration, total motility and normal morphology were observed in patients during infection or recovery (≤90 days) when compared with uninfected ones, whose degree correlated with the severity of COVID‐19 symptoms. Nonetheless, these differences gradually disappeared with the extension of the recovery period (>90 days) 18 . Interestingly, similar trends emerged when participants received inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine (Tables 4 and 5).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

“…Nonetheless, these differences gradually disappeared with the extension of the recovery period (>90 days). 18 Interestingly, similar trends emerged when participants received inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Tables 4 and 5). Whether these dramatic trends are universal remains to be clarified in larger scale studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…In a recent article we have shown that semen quality in some individuals who have recovered from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection still appears to be impaired in 3 months and then returns to normal 18 . Thus, additional subanalyses were performed for the results of the fully vaccinated and boosted groups according to the vaccination‐to‐test interval: ≤90 and >90 days (Tables 4 and 5).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As mentioned above, we have reviewed and discussed the changes in semen parameters and sex hormone levels in patients during COVID‐19 infection and recovery in a recent article 18 . Specifically, increased FSH and LH levels and decreased sperm concentration, total motility and normal morphology were observed in patients during infection or recovery (≤90 days) when compared with uninfected ones, whose degree correlated with the severity of COVID‐19 symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study

Dong

et al. 2022

Journal of Medical Virology

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Numerous studies have revealed severe damage to male fertility from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, raising concerns about the potential adverse impact on reproductive function of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine developed based on the virus. Interestingly, there are several researchers who have studied the impact of the COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine since then but have come up with conflicting results. As a near‐ideal candidate for mass immunization programs, inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine has been widely used in many countries, particularly in less wealthy nations. However, little is known about its effect on male fertility. Here, we conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single large center for reproductive medicine in China between December 2021 and August 2022. Five hundred and nineteen fertile men with no history of laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 were included and categorized into four groups based on their vaccination status: unvaccinated group (n = 168), one‐dose vaccinated group (n = 8), fully vaccinated group (n = 183), and booster group (n = 160). All of them underwent a semen analysis and most had serum sex hormone levels tested. There were no significant differences in all semen parameters and sex hormone levels between the unvaccinated group and either vaccinated group. To account for possible vaccination‐to‐test interval‐specific changes, sub‐analyses were performed for two interval groups: ≤90 and >90 days. As expected, most of the semen parameters and sex hormone levels remained unchanged between the control and vaccinated groups. However, participants in vaccinated group (≤90 days) have decreased total sperm motility and increased follicle‐stimulating hormone level compared with the ones in unvaccinated group. Moreover, some trends similar to those found during COVID‐19 infection and recovery were observed in our study. Fortunately, all values are within the normal range. In addition, vaccinated participants reported few adverse reactions. No special medical intervention was required, and no serious adverse reactions happened. Our study suggests that inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination does not impair male fertility, possibly due to the low frequency of adverse effects. This information reassures young male population who got this vaccine worldwide, and helps guide future vaccination efforts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study

Dong

et al. 2022

Journal of Medical Virology

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“…57 In the last 3 years, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have assessed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction, suggesting a careful interpretation of existing evidence and the need for future comprehensive research in the field owing to the short-term negative influence on fertility and hormonal regulation (Table 2). 8,[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67] Various studies have evaluated the semen sample parameters in patients suffering from COVID or in men recovering from the infection. These studies came initially from China, but reports exist from many other countries, such as Germany and Turkey.…”

Section: Is the Virus Found In Semen Samples?mentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and male fertility: Something we should be worried about?

Zeginiadou¹,

Symeonidis

et al. 2023

Urologia

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As of 2021, roughly 5 million deaths were linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection based on World Health Organization estimates. The pandemic takes its staggering death toll, severely affecting the healthcare systems and leading to detrimental implications globally. While the severe impact on the respiratory system is well-established, the exact effect on male reproduction is still largely uncharted territory. When it comes to gender, men appear more vulnerable compared to women. Increasing evidence suggests that COVID-19 adversely affects spermatogenesis and hormonal balance in diverse ways. Semen parameters seem to be compromised at least temporarily, while long-term worsening needs to be clarified in studies with extended follow-up. For the time being, no data support the adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccines on a male’s reproductive health. In the present article, we examine the available literature and briefly discuss the impact of the virus on reproduction and fertility. We further provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of vaccination and its potential effect on male fertility. Ultimately, we address the need for future well-designed large-scale trials before drawing definite conclusions on the exact impact of the virus on a male’s fecundity.

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Effect of COVID-19 on sperm parameters: pathologic alterations and underlying mechanisms

Leng

Guo

Sang

et al. 2023

J Assist Reprod Genet

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The rapid outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought challenges to different medical fields, especially reproductive health. To date, most studies on the effects of COVID-19 on male reproduction have some limitations. In addition, there is little research on the mechanisms underlying by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection affects semen quality. Here, we revealed the possible impact of COVID-19 on sperm parameters and the potential mechanisms. At present, it is still controversial whether COVID-19-induced fever adversely affects sperm parameters. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can induce up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine, which leads to the destruction of blood-testis barrier and impairment of spermatogenesis. Moreover, severe viral infection of the respiratory system could induce systemic oxidative stress. Sperm are highly vulnerable to it due to their limited levels of antioxidant defense, unsophisticated DNA damage detection and repair mechanisms. Our review prompt medical staff and patients to consciously check the reproductive function of COVID-19 male patients. Moreover, opening our prospective beyond the direct infection could be the key to better understand the COVID-19 short and long-term effects and provide a new idea for future treatment of patients with reproductive function injury.

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Semen parameters and sex hormones as affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review

Cited by 12 publications

References 49 publications

Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study

Effects of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination on male fertility: A retrospective cohort study

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and male fertility: Something we should be worried about?

Effect of COVID-19 on sperm parameters: pathologic alterations and underlying mechanisms

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