News | A Hidden Aftereffect of COVID-19: Semen Quality May Take More Than a Year to Recover
A study published in eBioMedicine followed 120 men in Belgium for one year to examine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen quality, focusing on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.
Background
Previous studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in the testes of patients with COVID-19, including during acute infection. Although semen is not infectious on average 21 days after infection, the short- and long-term effects on sperm quality and male fertility remain unclear.
Male germ cells undergo millions of meiotic divisions each day in an environment with limited immune protection, making them more vulnerable to viral disruption. SARS-CoV-2 may affect embryo development by altering protein-coding genes in sperm cells.
Methods
The study enrolled 120 men aged 18 to 70 with confirmed COVID-19. They were recruited from March to June 2020 or August 2020 to February 2021. Of these, 93 completed at least two follow-ups, for a total of 242 follow-up examinations.
Researchers collected semen and blood samples and assessed sperm quality according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, including DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS). They also measured IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies and used the SpermCOVID test to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen.
Key Findings
Changes in sperm quality
SARS-CoV-2 infection mainly reduced sperm concentration during the first 43 days after infection, consistent with disruption of spermatogenesis.
For some patients, semen quality took more than one year to recover, and recovery was closely related to the strength of the immune response.
Antibodies and recovery
Patients who produced IgA and IgG antibodies recovered faster, while those without these antibodies might not recover fully.
IgA and IgG may protect sperm from further damage by recognizing ACE2 receptors in the sperm tail.
Effects of the immune response
The postinfection immune response, rather than fever, was the main cause of reduced sperm concentration.
During the first 43 days after infection, increased DFI and HDS significantly reduced sperm motility.
Individual differences
Sperm production capacity varied among participants, as shown by differences in the time needed for sperm concentration to return to baseline.
Significance
This longitudinal study describes potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive capacity. The authors recommend further research into strategies that protect male germ cells from viral injury and reduce effects on fertility.
News | A Hidden Aftereffect of COVID-19: Semen Quality May Take More Than a Year to Recover
News | A Hidden Aftereffect of COVID-19: Semen Quality May Take More Than a Year to Recover
A study published in eBioMedicine followed 120 men in Belgium for one year to examine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen quality, focusing on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.
Background
Previous studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in the testes of patients with COVID-19, including during acute infection. Although semen is not infectious on average 21 days after infection, the short- and long-term effects on sperm quality and male fertility remain unclear.
Male germ cells undergo millions of meiotic divisions each day in an environment with limited immune protection, making them more vulnerable to viral disruption. SARS-CoV-2 may affect embryo development by altering protein-coding genes in sperm cells.
Methods
The study enrolled 120 men aged 18 to 70 with confirmed COVID-19. They were recruited from March to June 2020 or August 2020 to February 2021. Of these, 93 completed at least two follow-ups, for a total of 242 follow-up examinations.
Researchers collected semen and blood samples and assessed sperm quality according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, including DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS). They also measured IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies and used the SpermCOVID test to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen.
Key Findings
Changes in sperm quality
SARS-CoV-2 infection mainly reduced sperm concentration during the first 43 days after infection, consistent with disruption of spermatogenesis.
For some patients, semen quality took more than one year to recover, and recovery was closely related to the strength of the immune response.
Antibodies and recovery
Patients who produced IgA and IgG antibodies recovered faster, while those without these antibodies might not recover fully.
IgA and IgG may protect sperm from further damage by recognizing ACE2 receptors in the sperm tail.
Effects of the immune response
The postinfection immune response, rather than fever, was the main cause of reduced sperm concentration.
During the first 43 days after infection, increased DFI and HDS significantly reduced sperm motility.
Individual differences
Sperm production capacity varied among participants, as shown by differences in the time needed for sperm concentration to return to baseline.
Significance
This longitudinal study describes potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive capacity. The authors recommend further research into strategies that protect male germ cells from viral injury and reduce effects on fertility.
Source:
Collected online