Zinc As a Possible Critical Element to Prevent Harmful Effects of COVID-19 on Testicular Function: a Narrative Review

Overview

Journal Reprod Sci

Publisher Springer

Specialty Reproductive Medicine

Date 2024 Jul 10

PMID 38987405

Authors

Marouane Chemek

Ammar Kadi

Fatimah Kadhim Ibrahim Al-Mahdawi

Irina Potoroko

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Research into innovative non-pharmacological therapeutic routes via the utilization of natural elements like zinc (Zn) has been motivated by the discovery of new severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) variants and the ineffectiveness of certain vaccination treatments during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, research on SARS-COV-2's viral cellular entry and infection mechanism has shown that it may seriously harm reproductive system cells and impair testicular function in young men and adolescents, which may lead to male infertility over time. In this context, we conducted a narrative review to give an overview of the data pertaining to Zn's critical role in testicular tissue, the therapeutic use of such micronutrients to enhance male fertility, as well as in the potential mitigation of COVID-19, with the ultimate goal of elucidating the hypothesis of the potential use of Zn supplements to prevent the possible harmful effects of SARS-COV2 infection on testis physiological function, and subsequently, on male fertility.

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