COVID-19 may cause male infertility

Speaking of the major event in 2020, it is undoubtedly the COVID-19 epidemic. The infection rate of this disease is very fast, and the fatality rate is very high in many other countries. Experts are also actively looking for ways to cure COVID-19. However, recently experts have emphasized that COVID-19 may cause male infertility, which makes many men very worried. Is this information true or false? Will COVID-19 cause male infertility? Will COVID-19 affect male fertility? Follow the editor to find out!

Will COVID-19 cause male infertility?

According to reports from Ukraine on June 30, the Ukrainian National Ministry of Health warned that the new coronavirus may cause male infertility. The Ukrainian Ministry of Health said that data collected and analyzed by medical staff showed that the quality of sperm among male patients recovering from COVID-19 dropped by 38%.

The new coronavirus infection mainly damages the lungs and human immune system, but theoretically, the new coronavirus infection may also cause testicular damage. Therefore, the age of infection with COVID-19 is suitable for men, and fertility tests should be carried out after recovery and treatment.

The new coronavirus invades cells through the fusion of the spike glycoprotein (S protein) with the target cell angiotensin 2-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), causing tissue damage. In addition to the lungs, many other organs in the body also express ACE2, such as testicles, colon, kidneys, heart, and thyroid cysts. Among them, testicles express a large number of ACE2, mainly concentrated in testicular spermatogonia, functional cells and interstitial cells. These types of cells are closely related to male reproductive function.

The seminiferous tubules, also called seminiferous tubules, are the place where male sperm are transformed. They contain various spermatogenic cells and functional cells, and there are interstitial cells in the middle of the seminiferous tubules. Spermatogonia are pre-germ cells that produce male sperm; suitable cells are particularly important for maintaining the microenvironment for the growth and development of male sperm. Adult suitable cells have not broken down and the number is stable; Leydig cells are the main cells that produce and metabolize male hormones. Male hormones can promote sperm formation and the growth and development of male reproductive organs, as well as maintain male secondary sexual characteristics and male sexual function.

Although there is currently no scientific research to confirm whether the new coronavirus damages male testicles and affects male fertility, the new coronavirus is highly similar to the SARS virus and invades the same protein kinase in cells, namely ACE2. Although SARS virus infection has not been detected in male testicles, SARS infection can still cause serious immune damage to male testicles, causing orchitis, and lead to widespread destruction of reproductive-related cells.

Therefore, it is theoretically inferred that COVID-19 infection may cause testicular damage and affect male sperm conversion and androgen production. Obstacles in the transformation of male sperm will affect men's reproductive function, and in serious cases may cause male infertility; insufficient androgen will affect men's secondary sexual characteristics and male sexual function, reducing the quality of life.

Therefore, for men with a history of infection, especially those who want to conceive, it is best to carry out corresponding fertility tests such as semen quality and female hormones after rehabilitation treatment, so as to solve the problem in a timely manner.