Beta
120470

Covid-19: A possible emerging impact on male fertility

Article

Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

Subjects

-

Tags

Cellular and molecular targeting

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging pandemic; main complementary protein and mediator for SARS-CoV-2 has been identified to be the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) that exists in various organs and highly expressed within the testicular tissue (spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells). SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 and TMPRSS2 forming protein complexes mediating viral replication within the male gonads. Hence, an impact on testicular tissue could be observed post-infection. The structure of the sperm glycocalyx could serve as an adequate carrier for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 complex protein formation triggers an elevated immune response in a “cytokine storm" like action. Such leads to extensive tissue damage mediated by TFN-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and IFN-γ. ROS elevation is noted during the infection from the viral-induced cellular damage. Such aggressive immune response, ROS accumulation, complex proteins formation and renin system failure could also progress to intercellular oedema which could lead to intratesticular obstruction with forming consequences including sperm count reduction and elevated Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (SDFI). Testicular ultrasonography, semen analysis and male hormone profiling are recommended. Post recovery repetition for the previously mentioned tests would provide a useful insight into the andrological observations. Semen cryopreservation is highly recommended for vulnerable patients. Semen purification techniques could be adopted prior to cryopreservation and handling.

DOI

10.21608/jcbr.2020.27329.1025

Keywords

COVID-19, fertility, male, SARS-CoV-2

Authors

First Name

Khaled

Last Name

Raouf

MiddleName

S.

Affiliation

Department of Andrology, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

Email

dr.khaled.raouf@gmail.com

City

Sheikh Zayed

Orcid

0000-0002-5333-6224

First Name

Ahmed

Last Name

Omar

MiddleName

M.

Affiliation

Department of Andrology, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

Email

dr.ahmedomar75@gmail.com

City

Sheikh Zayed

Orcid

-

Volume

4

Article Issue

Special Issue

Related Issue

16474

Issue Date

2020-06-01

Receive Date

2020-04-05

Publish Date

2020-06-01

Page Start

7

Page End

13

Print ISSN

2682-261X

Online ISSN

2682-2628

Link

https://jcbr.journals.ekb.eg/article_120470.html

Detail API

https://jcbr.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=120470

Order

3

Type

Original Article

Type Code

885

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

International Journal of Cancer and Biomedical Research

Publication Link

https://jcbr.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

-

Details

Type

Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023