The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-caused by a new type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has posed severe impacts on public health worldwide and has resulted in a total of > 6 million deaths. Notably, male patients developed more complications and had mortality rates ~ 77% higher than those of female patients. The extensive expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and related proteins in the male reproductive tract and the association of serum testosterone levels with viral entry and infection have brought attention to COVID-19's effects on male fertility.
The peer-reviewed articles and reviews were obtained by searching for the keywords SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, endocrine, spermatogenesis, epididymis, prostate, and vaccine in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar from 2020-2022.
This review summarizes the effects of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system and investigates the impact of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on male reproductive health. We also present the underlying mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects male reproduction and discuss the potentially harmful effects of asymptomatic infections, as well as the long-term impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health.
COVID-19 disrupted the HPG axis, which had negative impacts on spermatogenesis and the epididymis, albeit further investigations need to be performed. The development of vaccines against various SARS-CoV-2 variations is important to lower infection rates and long-term COVID risks.
Journal of endocrinological investigation. 2023 Mar 14 [Epub ahead of print]
P Dai, F Qiao, Y Chen, D Y L Chan, H C H Yim, K L Fok, H Chen
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China., Assisted Reproductive Technologies Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China., Microbiome Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, St George and Sutherland Campus, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia., School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. ., Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China. .