Seminal Fluid Changes in the COVID-19 Era: During Infection and Post-vaccination

Overview

Journal Gynecol Obstet Clin Med

Date 2024 Apr 15

PMID 38620126

Authors

Wassan Nori

Dina Akeel Salman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predilection for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors allows its entrance and replication; however, they are not biochemically required for viral fusion into the cell membrane. Testicular tissue has abundant ACE2 receptors, making it a target for the COVID-19 virus. Seminal fluid parameters are measures of male fertility. Changes in semen parameters have been caused by coronavirus disease and vaccines. Some attribute that effect to direct hematogenic spread to the testis; others propose that the excessive immunological response triggered by the infection causes a deleterious effect. An unsubstantiated claim questioned whether the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could trigger an unintentional immunological response that would impair male fertility once receiving the vaccine. Extensive research confirms the transient nature of those changes that affect sperm motility and count with full recovery post-COVID-19 infection and after vaccination. The vaccine's safety was reaffirmed; however, there are currently no recommendations for screening sperm donors. Research is warranted to guarantee the safety of couples undergoing assisted reproduction.

Citing Articles

Investigating the mode of transmission of COVID-19 through genital secretions, semen, the birth canal, and lactation: A systematic review.

Meamar F, Farajkhoda T, Afshani S, Ardakani T J Educ Health Promot. 2024; 13:263.

PMID: 39309991 PMC: 11414867. DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_387_23.

References

Thakur V, Ratho R, Kumar P, Bhatia S, Bora I, Mohi G . Multi-Organ Involvement in COVID-19: Beyond Pulmonary Manifestations. J Clin Med. 2021; 10(3). PMC: 7866189. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030446. View

Nori W, Hamed R, Roomi A, Akram W . Alpha-1antitrypsin in pre-eclampsia; from a clinical perspective. J Pak Med Assoc. 2022; 71(Suppl 8)(12):S53-S56. View

Segars J, Katler Q, McQueen D, Kotlyar A, Glenn T, Knight Z . Prior and novel coronaviruses, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and human reproduction: what is known?. Fertil Steril. 2020; 113(6):1140-1149. PMC: 7161522. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.04.025. View

He Y, Wang J, Ren J, Zhao Y, Chen J, Chen X . Effect of COVID-19 on Male Reproductive System - A Systematic Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021; 12:677701. PMC: 8190708. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.677701. View

Vandenberg O, Martiny D, Rochas O, van Belkum A, Kozlakidis Z . Considerations for diagnostic COVID-19 tests. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2020; 19(3):171-183. PMC: 7556561. DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-00461-z. View

Parron D, Gartzia A, Iturregui A, Imaz I, Manini C, Garcia-Olaverri J . SARS-CoV-2-Associated Obliterative Arteritis Causing Massive Testicular Infarction. Clin Pract. 2021; 11(2):246-249. PMC: 8161438. DOI: 10.3390/clinpract11020037. View

van der Kuyl A, Berkhout B . Viruses in the reproductive tract: On their way to the germ line?. Virus Res. 2020; 286:198101. DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198101. View

Gonzalez D, Nassau D, Khodamoradi K, Ibrahim E, Blachman-Braun R, Ory J . Sperm Parameters Before and After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination. JAMA. 2021; 326(3):273-274. PMC: 8293015. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.9976. View

Abd Z, Muter S, Saeed R, Ammar O . Effects of Covid-19 vaccination on different semen parameters. Basic Clin Androl. 2022; 32(1):13. PMC: 9343088. DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00163-x. View

10.

Guo T, Sang M, Bai S, Ma H, Wan Y, Jiang X . Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19. Asian J Androl. 2021; 23(5):479-483. PMC: 8451500. DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_31_21. View

11.

Nori W, Akram W . Effect of gender on the reliability of COVID-19 rapid antigen test among elderly. World J Clin Cases. 2022; 10(29):10820-10822. PMC: 9602250. DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i29.10820. View

12.

Li D, Jin M, Bao P, Zhao W, Zhang S . Clinical Characteristics and Results of Semen Tests Among Men With Coronavirus Disease 2019. JAMA Netw Open. 2020; 3(5):e208292. PMC: 7206502. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8292. View

13.

Crook H, Raza S, Nowell J, Young M, Edison P . Long covid-mechanisms, risk factors, and management. BMJ. 2021; 374:n1648. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1648. View

14.

Xu J, Qi L, Chi X, Yang J, Wei X, Gong E . Orchitis: a complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Biol Reprod. 2005; 74(2):410-6. PMC: 7109827. DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.105.044776. View

15.

Nordkap L, Jensen T, Hansen A, Lassen T, Bang A, Joensen U . Psychological stress and testicular function: a cross-sectional study of 1,215 Danish men. Fertil Steril. 2015; 105(1):174-87.e1-2. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.016. View

16.

Klugar M, Riad A, Mekhemar M, Conrad J, Buchbender M, Howaldt H . Side Effects of mRNA-Based and Viral Vector-Based COVID-19 Vaccines among German Healthcare Workers. Biology (Basel). 2021; 10(8). PMC: 8389568. DOI: 10.3390/biology10080752. View

17.

Abdelhamid M, Fellah A, Elmarghani A, Al Msellati I . An Assessment of Men Semen Alterations in SARS-CoV-2: Is Fever the Principal Concern?. Reprod Sci. 2022; 30(1):72-80. PMC: 8863294. DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00889-z. View

18.

Chavda V, Valu D, Parikh P, Tiwari N, Chhipa A, Shukla S . Conventional and Novel Diagnostic Tools for the Diagnosis of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Vaccines (Basel). 2023; 11(2). PMC: 9960989. DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020374. View

19.

Holtmann N, Edimiris P, Andree M, Doehmen C, Baston-Buest D, Adams O . Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen-a cohort study. Fertil Steril. 2020; 114(2):233-238. PMC: 7256599. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.05.028. View

20.

Shen Q, Li J, Zhang Z, Guo S, Wang Q, An X . COVID-19: systemic pathology and its implications for therapy. Int J Biol Sci. 2022; 18(1):386-408. PMC: 8692150. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.65911. View