The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Sperm Cryostorage, Theoretical or Real Risk?

Anifandis, George; Taylor, T.H.; Messini, Christina I.; Chatzimeletiou, Katerina; Daponte, Alexandros; Ioannou, Dimitrios; Tempest, Helen G.

doi:10.3390/medicina57090946

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Finally, there is a general concern that SARS-CoV-2 may disturb male fertility, and thus vaccination for COVID-19 to protect from potential infection becomes more and more a necessity [44,45]. Although, the safety of the mRNA vaccines is still under investigation, our results suggest no negative impact on sperm parameters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Effects of Different Drug Therapies and COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination on Semen Quality in a Man with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report

et al. 2022

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Background and Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a condition that affects 0.1% to 0.5% of the adult population. The aim of this case report was to investigate the possible effects of the drugs taken for treatment of AS as well as mRNA vaccination for COVID-19 on semen quality by performing a highly detailed analysis. Materials and Methods: Sperm characteristics were examined by light microscopy, DNA fragmentation (DFI) was analysed by flow cytometry and morphology was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Semen analysis under therapy with (1) celecoxib and sulphasalazine showed: concentration 47 million/mL, 53% progressive motility, 7% normal morphology and 9.6% DFI, (2) Golimumab and before mRNA Vaccination showed: concentration 108 million/mL, 82% progressive motility, 1% normal morphology and 7.6% DFI, and (3) Golimumab and after 3 doses of mRNA Vaccination showed: concentration 142 million/mL, 85% progressive motility, 1% normal morphology and 6.8% DFI. TEM revealed head, neck and tail abnormalities, as well as the presence of cells with incomplete spermiogenesis white cells and phagocytes in the sample under therapy with celecoxib and sulphasalazine. Golimumab treatment lead to an increased incidence of elongated heads but in general reduced inflammation as no white cells were evident in TEM. Conclusion: The anti-inflamatory drugs celecoxib and sulphasalazine had no adverse effect on sperm quality as all parameters were within normal limits and the patient achieved under that treatment 2 pregnancies following natural conception that lead to the birth of a healthy boy and girl respectively. Anti-TNFa treatment with Golimumab exerted a negative effect on morphology but not on concentration, motility and DFI. After 3 doses of mRNA Vaccination, sperm concentration increased while motility, morphology and DFI remained similar to the values before vaccination suggesting no negative effect of the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 on sperm quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Effects of Different Drug Therapies and COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination on Semen Quality in a Man with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report

et al. 2022

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“… 50 At present, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on sperm cryopreservation is only a theoretical risk, but with the continuous emergence of mutants, it may be a potential real threat in the future. 53 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tang

Che

Chen

et al. 2022

Asian Journal of Andrology

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I 2 = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I 2 = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I 2 = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I 2 = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I 2 = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.

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“…Furthermore, the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants or strains may have altered the interpretation of the results, including the subsequent update of infection detection and vaccination activity. The current vaccines may not have provided the same degree of protection against evolving variants 22 ; therefore, continuing with regular boosters has become the norm for continued protection. Many studies are needed to clarify the association between the time interval from COVID-19 vaccination to fertilization treatment and pregnancy outcomes.…”

Section: Jama Network Open | Obstetrics and Gynecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Association Between Time Interval from COVID-19 Vaccination to In Vitro Fertilization and Pregnancy Rate After Fresh Embryo Transfer

et al. 2022

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ImportanceThere is a lack of information regarding the need to postpone conception after COVID-19 vaccination.ObjectiveTo investigate the time interval between the first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment as well as the rate of pregnancy after a fresh embryo transfer.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study was conducted at a single public IVF center in China. Female patients aged 20 to 47 years and undergoing IVF treatment were consecutively registered from May 1 to December 22, 2021, with follow-up until March 31, 2022. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection before or during IVF treatment and those who underwent 2 or more IVF treatments, received the noninactivated or unknown COVID-19 vaccine, or did not have a fresh embryo transfer were excluded from this study.ExposuresThe vaccinated group (subdivided into 4 subgroups of time interval from first vaccination to fertilization treatment: ≤30 days, 31-60 days, 61-90 days, and ≥91 days) and nonvaccinated group.Main Outcomes and MeasuresRisk ratios (RRs) for the association between the time interval and ongoing pregnancy (pregnancy continued at least 12 weeks).ResultsA total of 3052 female patients (mean [SD] age, 31.45 [3.96] years) undergoing IVF treatment were analyzed in this study. There were 667 vaccinated patients receiving IVF (35 were vaccinated ≤30 days, 58 were vaccinated 31-60 days, 105 were vaccinated 61-90 days, and 469 were vaccinated ≥91 days before fertilization treatment), and 2385 unvaccinated patients receiving treatment. The ovarian stimulation and laboratory parameters were similar among all groups. Ongoing pregnancy was significantly lower in the 30 days or less subgroup (34.3% [12 of 35]; adjusted RR [aRR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91) and the 31 to 60 days’ subgroup (36.2% [21 of 58]; aRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.85). A slightly but not statistically lower rate was found in the 61 to 90 days’ subgroup, and no reduced risk for ongoing pregnancy in the 91 days or more subgroup was observed (56.3% [264 of 469]; aRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.88-1.04) compared with the unvaccinated group (60.3% [1439 of 2385], as reference).Conclusions and RelevanceFindings of this study suggest that receipt of the first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine dose 60 days or less before fertilization treatment is associated with a reduced rate of pregnancy. In patients undergoing IVF treatment with a fresh embryo transfer, the procedure may need to be delayed until at least 61 days after COVID-19 vaccination.

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The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Sperm Cryostorage, Theoretical or Real Risk?

Cited by 9 publications

References 43 publications

Effects of Different Drug Therapies and COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination on Semen Quality in a Man with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report

Effects of Different Drug Therapies and COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination on Semen Quality in a Man with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report

Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Association Between Time Interval from COVID-19 Vaccination to In Vitro Fertilization and Pregnancy Rate After Fresh Embryo Transfer

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