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Review
. 2021 Sep;23(4):382-388.
doi: 10.22074/cellj.2021.7982. Epub 2021 Aug 29.

Possible Male Reproduction Complications after Coronavirus Pandemic

Maryam Hezavehei  1 , Bahare Shokoohian  2 , Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani  3 , Anastasiav Shpichka  4 , Peter Timashev  4 , Abdol Hossein Shahverdi  5 , Massoud Vosough  6
Affiliations
Review

Possible Male Reproduction Complications after Coronavirus Pandemic

Maryam Hezavehei et al. Cell J. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a severe respiratory disease, affects various tissues and organs. The specific SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is highly expressed in male gonads. Thus, male reproductive tissues could be a potential target for virus colonization. We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed and Google Scholar to retrieve relevant articles published till 15 April 2021. The keywords used were: male fertility, male reproductive health, semen parameters, sex hormones, SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19. Validated evidence about the adverse effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male reproductive system is limited and few studies have reported semen analysis results or presence of viral RNA in semen samples of infected men. Nevertheless, alterations in reproductive hormones such as decreased level of testosterone (T) with raised luteinizing hormone (LH) have been reported in some patients. Although the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male reproduction health remains unclear, evidence suggests that male gonads may be potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this article, we discussed the possible impacts of COVID-19 on male gonads, sex hormones, and semen quality and suggested preventive solutions.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fertility; Male Reproduction; SARS-CoV-2; Semen.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest in this study.

Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1
Risk factors, mechanisms and pathophysiology of COVID-19 on the male reproduction. ACE2; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, SSC; Spermatogonia stem cell, LC; Leydig cell, SC; Sertoli cell, GnRH; Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, LH; Luteinizing hormone, FSH; Follicle-stimulating hormone, and IL; Interleukin.
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