Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Semen Parameters of Males

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 [COVID-19] is a pandemic caused by a new coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2; previously known as 2019-nCoV]. Other effects on systems other than respiratory system are reported. However, the effects on semen parameters is not well-addressed. The aim of the work: The aim of this investigation was to detect the effect of COVID 19 infection on different semen parameters. Patients and methods: This six-months prospective case-control investigation on 66 cases. They were selected from Helwan University Hospitals and approved by research and ethics committee on December 23, 2021 [Approval No. 79-2021]. Participants have been divided into two groups, with COVID-19 confirmed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] on nasal and pharyngeal swabs. Semen analysis was conducted at the start and after three months. Results: After three months of COVID-19 infection, cases showed a statistically significant increase in semen volume [p=0.03], sperm concentration [p=0.001], total motility [p=0.001], and rapid progressive motility [p=0.001], along with a significant reduction in abnormal forms [p=0.002], while non-progressive motility demonstrated insignificant change [p=0.7]. Comparisons among COVID-19 cases and the control group revealed insignificant distinctions in semen volume [p=0.10] or sperm motility [p=0.06, 0.4, 0.6]. However, semen concentration was significantly higher in the control group [p=0.001], and abnormal forms were significantly increased in the COVID-19 group [p=0.000], Conclusion: COVID-19 infection has negative impact in most of cases. This effect is reversible after three months after infection.