Mosquito-borne viruses and male infertility: Zika was just the beginning – the impact of dengue on sperm DNA integrity

Dengue is resurging globally (~14 million cases in 2024). Emerging evidence suggests that dengue infection may transiently impair male fertility. Acute dengue has been associated with reversible declines in sperm count, with potential increases in sperm DNA fragmentation, possibly mediated by fever-induced oxidative stress. We review dengue’s effects on sperm, compare them with Zika’s impact, and highlight implications for fertility counseling.