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Does SARS-CoV-2 Threaten Male Fertility?

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Clinical, Biological and Molecular Aspects of COVID-19

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((PMISB,volume 1321))

Abstract

In the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most important concerns in reproductive health is the issue of male fertility of recovered patients. In this study, we discuss the potential mechanisms that justify the possible impact of COVID-19 on male fertility. The main point of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells appears to be through the viral spike protein which permits entry into cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 receptor). In human testes, ACE2 is enriched in Sertoli and Leydig cells and spermatogonia. Also, it seems that there is a mild or severe cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19, and such changes may affect fertility. It should also be mentioned that the orchitis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may have an important impact on fertility. Prolonged and high fever may lead to changes in testicular temperature and destroy germ cells. In general, there is little evidence for a definite conclusion, but there are facts that suggest that COVID-19 may affect male fertility. It is prudent for men of reproductive age who have recovered from COVID-19 to be evaluated for the presence of the virus in semen and fertility-related items. There is an urgent need to conduct quality studies on, in particular, the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the fertility of recovered males.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to guidance and advice from the Clinical Research Development Unit of Baqiyatallah Hospital.

Conflict of Interest

No conflicts of interest are declared by the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma research center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Amir Vahedian-Azimi

  2. Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Life style institute, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Leila Karimi

  3. Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad university Ahvaz branch, Ahvaz, Iran

    Somayeh Makvandi

  4. Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Tannaz Jamialahmadi & Amirhossein Sahebkar

  5. Department of Food Science and Technology, Quchan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran

    Tannaz Jamialahmadi

  6. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Tannaz Jamialahmadi

  7. Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  8. Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  9. Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

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  1. Amir Vahedian-Azimi
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  2. Leila Karimi
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  3. Somayeh Makvandi
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  4. Tannaz Jamialahmadi
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  5. Amirhossein Sahebkar
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Correspondence to Amirhossein Sahebkar .

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  1. University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Paul C. Guest

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Vahedian-Azimi, A., Karimi, L., Makvandi, S., Jamialahmadi, T., Sahebkar, A. (2021). Does SARS-CoV-2 Threaten Male Fertility?. In: Guest, P.C. (eds) Clinical, Biological and Molecular Aspects of COVID-19. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1321. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59261-5_12

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