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

Abstract

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has become a major pandemic threat worldwide. According to the existing clinical data, this virus not only causes respiratory diseases and affects the lungs but also induces histopathological or functional changes in various organs like the testis and also the male genital tract. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS), also ACE 2 and TMPRSS2 play an important role in the cellular entry for SARS‐CoV‐2. Because the male genital system presents high ACE 2 expression, the importance of this pathway increases in COVID‐19 cases. As the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected the male genital system in direct or indirect ways and showed a negative impact on male reproduction, this paper focuses on the possible mechanisms underlying the damage caused by COVID‐19 to the testis and also other components of the male genital tract.

Post-COVID-19-associated decline in long-term male fertility and embryo quality during assisted reproductive technology

“…To date, there is no convincing proof to validate the long-term impact of COVID-19 infection on important biomarkers of male fertility such as sperm count, motility, morphology and sperm DNA damage among patients recovered from this new infection. 1 In the present case, we report for the first time that COVID-19 can lead to long-term detrimental effects on cardinal male fertility parameters, particularly the sperm DNA and morphology. Owing to the possible repercussions of angiotensin-II upregulation at different stages of spermatozoon’s journey consequent to the infection, the intrinsic apoptotic pathway might get stimulated resulting in sperm senescence and cell death.…”

Baby Bust: Falling Fertility in US Counties Is Associated with COVID-19 Prevalence and Mobility Reductions

“…For example, people who are themselves sick, whose relatives are sick, or who are shut in at home for extended periods may be less sexually active (or fecund), and more motivated to prevent pregnancy. The virus may also have medical effects on fecundity or birth outcomes (Karimi et al 2021;Seymen 2021), including preterm birth (Joseph, Rasmussen, and Jamieson 2021). This would be consistent with strong correlations between local infection rates or social mobility and birth rates nine to ten months later.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women seeking fertility treatment: the patient’s perspective

“…It has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 could have a negative effect on female fertility [22]. Furthermore, an infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been proven to have a negative impact on male fertility [23,24]. Physicians should actively ask patients about concerns and worries regarding an infection with SARS-CoV-2, especially regarding their own health during pregnancy and the health of their unborn child and offer support regarding stress and anxiety due to these concerns.…”