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Dabizzi S, Maggi M, Torcia MG. Update on known and emergent viruses affecting human male genital tract and fertility. Basic Clin Androl 2024; 34:6. [PMID: 38486154 PMCID: PMC10941432 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-024-00222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Many viruses infect the male genital tract with harmful consequences at individual and population levels. In fact, viral infections may induce damage to different organs of the male genital tract (MGT), therefore compromising male fertility. The oxidative stress, induced during viral-mediated local and systemic inflammation, is responsible for testicular damage, compromising germinal and endocrine cell functions. A reduction in sperm count, motility, number of normal sperm and an increase in DNA fragmentation are all common findings in the course of viral infections that, however, generally regress after infection clearance. In some cases, however, viral shedding persists for a long time leading to unexpected sexual transmission, even after the disappearance of the viral load from the blood.The recent outbreak of Zika and Ebola Virus evidenced how the MGT could represent a reservoir of dangerous emergent viruses and how new modalities of surveillance of survivors are strongly needed to limit viral transmission among the general population.Here we reviewed the evidence concerning the presence of relevant viruses, including emergent and re-emergent, on the male genital tract, their route of entry, their adverse effects on male fertility and the pattern of viral shedding in the semen.We also described laboratory strategies to reduce the risk of horizontal or vertical cross-infection in serodiscordant couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Dabizzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, Florence, Italy.
| | - Maria Gabriella Torcia
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: Functional, Molecular and Clinical Aspects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054656. [PMID: 36902084 PMCID: PMC10002855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation is an expanding strategy to allow not only fertility preservation for individuals who need such procedures because of gonadotoxic treatments, active duty in dangerous occupations or social reasons and gamete donation for couples where conception is denied, but also for animal breeding and preservation of endangered animal species. Despite the improvement in semen cryopreservation techniques and the worldwide expansion of semen banks, damage to spermatozoa and the consequent impairment of its functions still remain unsolved problems, conditioning the choice of the technique in assisted reproduction procedures. Although many studies have attempted to find solutions to limit sperm damage following cryopreservation and identify possible markers of damage susceptibility, active research in this field is still required in order to optimize the process. Here, we review the available evidence regarding structural, molecular and functional damage occurring in cryopreserved human spermatozoa and the possible strategies to prevent it and optimize the procedures. Finally, we review the results on assisted reproduction technique (ARTs) outcomes following the use of cryopreserved spermatozoa.
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Corona G, Vena W, Pizzocaro A, Pallotti F, Paoli D, Rastrelli G, Baldi E, Cilloni N, Gacci M, Semeraro F, Salonia A, Minhas S, Pivonello R, Sforza A, Vignozzi L, Isidori AM, Lenzi A, Maggi M, Lombardo F. Andrological effects of SARS-Cov-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:2207-2219. [PMID: 35527294 PMCID: PMC9080963 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01801-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The short- and long-term andrological effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been clarified. Our aim is to evaluate the available evidence regarding possible andrological consequences of COVID-19 either on seminal or hormonal parameters. The safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in terms of sperm quality was also investigated. METHODS All prospective and retrospective observational studies reporting information on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) mRNA semen and male genitalia tract detection (n = 19), as well as those reporting data on semen analysis (n = 5) and hormonal parameters (n = 11) in infected/recovered patients without any arbitrary restriction were included. RESULTS Out of 204 retrieved articles, 35 were considered, including 2092 patients and 1138 controls with a mean age of 44.1 ± 12.6 years, and mean follow-up 24.3 ± 18.9 days. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA can be localized in male genitalia tracts during the acute phase of the disease. COVID-19 can result in short-term impaired sperm and T production. Available data cannot clarify long-term andrological effects. Low T observed in the acute phase of the disease is associated with an increased risk of being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or death. The two available studies showed that the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines does not affect sperm quality. CONCLUSIONS The results of our analysis clearly suggest that each patient recovering from COVID-19 should be monitored to rule out sperm and T abnormalities. The specific contribution of reduced T levels during the acute phase of the infection needs to be better clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - W Vena
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology, IRCSS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - A Pizzocaro
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology, IRCSS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Pallotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - D Paoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - G Rastrelli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - E Baldi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - N Cilloni
- Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and EMS, Maggiore Hospital Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Gacci
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urologic Surgery and Kidney Transplantation, Careggi University Hospital (AOUC), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - F Semeraro
- Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and EMS, Maggiore Hospital Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - S Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - R Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
- Staff of UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development Baldi E, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - A Sforza
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - L Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - F Lombardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
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