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 (<i>p</i> < 0.005). However, semen volume seems to be significantly lower only during the first spermatogenic cycle after SARS-COV-2 infection (<i>p</i> < 0.005) and mainly in unvaccinated patients (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, we detected alterations in progressive motility in patients infected with the alpha SARS-COV-2 strain (<i>p</i> < 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.
Authors
- Lluís Bassas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3473-3611)
- Jessica Navero‐Castillejos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5538-0691)
- Meritxell Jodar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3272-0163)
- Judit Castillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9407-2675)
- Roger Matheu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2868-8324)
- Aina Borrás (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3838-7920)
- Juan Manuel Corral
- Miguel J. Martínez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0682-1075)
- Pilar Carrillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7147-3599)
- Pilar Reimundo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4118-2774)
- Inés Agustí (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9459-4062)
- Melchor Carbonell
- Marina Leiva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2322-0140)
- Yasmina Barral (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0513-645X)
- Rafael Oliva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4876-2410)
- Dolors Manau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1377-9565)
- Gemma Casals (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4541-2397)
- Raquel Ferreti
- Julio Herrero
- Marta Guimerà
- Ruth Barrio
Institutions
- Hebron University (PS)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
- Hospital de Sant Pau (ES)
- Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (ES)
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES)
- Department of Embryology (US)
- Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine (ES)
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari (ES)
- Puigvert Foundation (ES)
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ES)
- Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (ES)
- Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine
- Published
- 2024-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/19396368.2024.2390514
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.58
Funders
- Fundació la Marató de TV3
- European Cooperation in Science and Technology