Covid-19 infection may have short term impact on male semen parameters

The ongoing management of COVID-19 pandemic suggests concern beyond the respiratory health to potential impacts on various bodily systems. A recent study published in the Virology Journal looks into the male reproductive health, majorly investigating the effects of COVID-19 on sperm quality.

The study was conducted at the Guilin People’s Hospital and encompassed 85 males who sought fertility evaluation over the period of June 2022 to July 2023. This study conducted a thorough analysis of semen parameters across three distinct timeframes: within 6 months before COVID-19 infection, within 3 months post-infection and 3 to 6 months after COVID-19 recovery.

The key findings of the study were;

A significant impact on sperm quality was observed in the aftermath of a COVID-19 infection. Both sperm concentration and total sperm count experienced a significant decrease after the infection. During the recovery phase, these parameters expressed a marked improvement, with increased sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility and normal morphology. The sperm concentration dropped after covid-19 infection but rebounded to normal levels during the recovery period.

The results of this study propose a transient effect of COVID-19 on sperm quality which primarily marked by a temporary decrease in sperm concentration. The observed impacts on semen parameters seem reversible, with a gradual restoration within 3 to 6 months after recovery from the virus. Also, the outcomes emphasize the necessity for further investigations that can the reveal the underlying mechanisms and help understand any potential long-term implications of these semen parameter fluctuations. This study provides very important insights into a lesser-explored facet like the transient influence of virus on the male reproductive health and helps in understanding the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19.

Source:

Zhang, Q.-F., Zhang, Y.-J., Wang, S., Wei, Y., Zhang, H., Li, F., & Deng, Y.-Q. (2024). Does COVID-19 affect sperm quality in males? the answer may be yes, but only temporarily. Virology Journal, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02290-5