Semen quality changes during infection and recovery phases of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in reproductive-aged patients: a prospective case series

Mohammed, Nasreldin; Kamel, Mostafa; Gadelkareem, Rabea Ahmed; Zarzour, Mohammed Ali; Kurkar, Adel; Abdel-Moniem, Ahmed Mohammed; Behnsawy, Hosny M.

doi:10.1186/s12610-022-00175-7

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…At the same time, we did not find any studies that took into account different age groups of patients. In men under the age of 35 who had recovered from a coronavirus infection, we observed no significant changes in DNA fragmentation levels, in contrast to the findings of other researchers [21,22]. However, in our sample of older COVID+ patients (>35 years), the proportion of men with increased DNA fragmentation was higher compared to their peers who have not been infected.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, the question of whether COVID-19 has the same impact on the reproductive health of men across different age groups and the duration of these effects over time is still open. It is indicated that changes in sperm morphology were the most prominent abnormalities in sperm characteristics during the infection phase, followed by a significant improvement after recovery from the disease [21]. We assessed standard sperm quality parameters in patients younger and older than 35 years, 5-7 months after recovery from COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, it is essential to monitor the impact of various negative factors, such as COVID-19, on male reproductive health based on age. In young men aged 21 to 35 years, coronavirus infection caused abnormal semen quality, with a significant improvement observed 74-81 days after recovery [21]. Another study observed that in patients aged 30 (IQR, 27-34) years, a coronavirus infection in the last 3 months before sample collection resulted in a reduction in sperm concentration, including the percentage of progressively motile sperm, and an increase in DNA fragmentation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

Shcherbitskaia,

Komarova,

Milyutina

et al. 2023

IJMS

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The impact of coronavirus on the reproductive health of men attracts the special attention of many researchers. While studies suggest changes in sperm parameters and the possibility of testicular inflammation, further studies are needed to elucidate any potential age-related changes in these findings, which is the purpose of the present study. The semen quality parameters, cytokine concentration, and markers of the pro- and antioxidant system were assessed in 60 men five to seven months after the coronavirus infection and in 77 controls (without a history of coronavirus infection). Additionally, participants were divided into two age groups: less than 35 years and 35 years or older. Notably increased round cell count in ejaculate and reduced sperm hyaluronan binding ability were observed among post-infection patients younger than 35 years. In the same group, a decline in seminal plasma zinc levels and nitrotyrosine in the cell fraction was found. In men over 35 years of age, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to increased sperm DNA fragmentation, a decrease in the total antioxidant capacity, and an elevation in the levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-10. The concentration of interleukin-1β decreased over time following recovery in all affected patients. The data obtained suggest the potential adverse impact of the coronavirus infection on male reproductive health; however, these effects appear to be age-dependent.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

Shcherbitskaia,

Komarova,

Milyutina

et al. 2023

IJMS

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“…60,61 On the other hand, some authors described that impairment in semen volume, motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration, and the number of spermatozoa tended to persist 2−3 months after COVID-19. [62][63][64] It has also been shown that 4−6 months after recovery, there was a significant reduction in abnormal semen quality. [65][66][67] In this study, we compared semen samples collected from 1 up to 30 months after COVID-19 recovery with those obtained from men without present or past clinical and/or molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…In this context, it has been reported that sperm number, concentration, and motility were lower 1 month after recovery from COVID‐19 than in non‐infected men, 59,60 and that sperm parameters improved when semen samples were collected 2−3 months or more after recovery 60,61 . On the other hand, some authors described that impairment in semen volume, motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration, and the number of spermatozoa tended to persist 2−3 months after COVID‐19 62–64 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID‐19 on sperm quality and the prostaglandin and polyamine systems in the seminal fluid

Matzkin,

Beguerie,

De Zuñiga

et al. 2023

Andrology

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BackgroundThe implications of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on male fertility remain largely unknown. Besides their well‐known pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory actions, prostaglandins and polyamines are present in semen, where they play key roles in sperm quality.ObjectivesTo analyze semen parameters, oxidative profile and the seminal fluid prostaglandin and polyamine systems in samples collected from individuals without coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis and men who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019.Materials and methodsThis study compared semen collected from men without positive coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis with samples obtained from individuals 1–6 months and 7–30 months post SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Semen parameters, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, cyclooxygenase 2 expression by fluorescence immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting, prostaglandin levels by enzyme immunoassay, ornithine decarboxylase activity by a radioactive assay, and polyamine and acetylated polyamine levels by thin‐layer chromatography were assessed.ResultsIn both groups of semen samples from coronavirus disease 2019 recovered men, sperm vitality, total and progressive sperm motility, and putrescine levels were significantly decreased when compared with samples from the uninfected group. In contrast, lipid peroxidation, leukocyte‐associated cyclooxygenase 2 expression, and prostaglandin D2 levels were higher in semen from coronavirus disease 2019 recovered men than in samples from uninfected individuals. While sperm concentration and morphology, ornithine decarboxylase activity, and N‐acetylputrescine levels were statistically diminished in semen obtained up to 6 months after coronavirus disease 2019 recovery, these parameters remained unchanged when samples were collected 7–30 months after coronavirus disease 2019 recovery. Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination did not show negative effects on any of the parameters evaluated.Discussion and conclusionOur work provides insights into the detrimental impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on several sperm parameters, in some cases, even more than a year after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, which would be accompanied by alterations in the seminal fluid prostaglandin and polyamine profiles. Therefore, future treatments targeting the prostaglandin and polyamine pathways in coronavirus disease 2019 recovered men could lead to a successful reinstatement of semen parameters.

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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 quality changes during infection and recovery phases of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in reproductive-aged patients: a prospective case series

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

Impact of COVID‐19 on sperm quality and the prostaglandin and polyamine systems in the seminal fluid

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

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