Mild COVID-19 has no detrimental effect on semen quality

A comparative study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality based on a nationwide relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in China at the end of 2022

Background

An association between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a reduction in male semen parameters has been described, but no large-scale population analyses have been conducted. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality. Based on a large-scale ecological comparative study, our study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality after the national liberalization of restrictions in China at the end of 2022, aiming to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality, and provide a basis for the study of the impact of subsequent epidemics on male reproduction as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

It is a population-based cross-sectional study. This comparative study was based on the nationwide loosening of COVID-19 curbs in China on December 7, 2022, 1 month after which, an 89% infection rate was reported in Henan Province, China. We compared semen quality and serum hormone levels from January 7, 2023 to April 30, 2023 and January 7, 2022 to April 30, 2022 at the Reproductive Center of Henan Provincial People's Hospital.

Results

Our results indicated a significant decrease in semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive sperm motility rate, and non-progressive sperm motility rate following the nationwide relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. The effects on the semen volume and total sperm count persisted over time. Additionally, an increase in the incidence of sperm neck defects has been reported. Infection also led to hormonal disruptions, including alterations in prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and the free testosterone index (FTI) along with an increase in osteocalcin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-VD).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that mild COVID-19 appears to have a detrimental effect on semen quality.

Reversible effects of the SARS-CoV-2 on semen parameters

Despite that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been controlled, it has affected a large proportion of the population, raising some concerns about potential sequelae in men at reproductive age. To contribute to the clarification of this issue, we performed a retrospective study comparing semen parameters values before and after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large cohort of infertile men, compared to a control group that did not undergo SARS-CoV-2 infection. Wilcoxon test on paired samples and general linear regression model showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection has a detrimental effect on semen volume values (p < 0.005). However, semen volume seems to be significantly lower only during the first spermatogenic cycle after SARS-COV-2 infection (p < 0.005) and mainly in unvaccinated patients (p < 0.05). In addition, we detected alterations in progressive motility in patients infected with the alpha SARS-COV-2 strain (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results show that although SARS-CoV-2 has a small effect on semen volume and sperm motility in infertile men, depending on the infectious strain or vaccination status, pre-infection values of semen parameters appear to be restored over one spermatogenic cycle after infection.

Does COVID-19 affect sperm quality in males? the answer may be yes, but only temporarily

BACKGROUND

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on male reproductive health. However, the impact of COVID-19 on sperm quality remains uncertain. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the short-term and relatively long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on sperm quality.

METHODS

A total of 85 males with fertility requirements, who underwent semen evaluation at Guilin People's Hospital between June 2022 and July 2023, were included in the study. Changes in semen parameters were analyzed across three specific timeframes: within 6 months before COVID-19 infection, within 3 months after COVID-19 infection, and 3-6 months after COVID-19 recovery.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the sperm concentration and total sperm number were significantly lower after infection compared to before, while in the recovery period, the sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, and normal morphology significantly increased. Comparing the three periods, the most significant difference was observed in sperm concentration, which exhibited a significant decrease after infection but returned to normal levels after recovery from COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that COVID-19 may exert some impact on sperm quality, particularly evidenced by decreased sperm concentration post-infection. Fortunately, these effects on semen parameters appear to be temporary, with gradual restoration of semen parameters within 3-6 months after recovery. However, further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term implications of these observed changes in semen parameters.