COVID-19 May Impact Sperm Count And Fertility In Men: Study

COVID-19 May Impact Sperm Count: According to a recent study supported by an experiment, the viral disease of COVID-19 has the potential of reducing the sperm count in men, resulting in sperm damage and lesser fertility. However, some experts have also urged caution about the new evidence.

Since the outbreak of the disease, it has caused respiratory illness in many individuals, especially in older people and those with underlying medical problems. The virus attacking the lungs, kidneys, intestines, and heart can also be harmful to the male reproductive organs, studies have indicated. The same receptors the virus uses to access lung tissue are also found in the testicles.

On Friday, researchers in the journal Reproduction concluded, “The outcome of this research provides first direct experimental evidence that directs the male reproductive system to be a possible target of damage by the deadly infection of COVID-19.”

However, experts commented that the capacity of the virus to impact on the fertility in men still remains unproven. Moreover, indicators of decreased sperm quality could be due to factors other than COVID-19 itself. Allan Pacey, a specialist in male reproductive medicine at the University of Sheffield, made a "strong note of caution" as he countered the research saying the infertility could also be a result of other underlying health problems.

Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki and Bakhtyar Tartibian from Justus-Liebig-University in Germany searched for biological results that can indicate the infertility in men caused due to COVID-19. Research was conducted on 84 men infected with the virus for 60 days, at 10 days intervals each, and compared to 105 healthy men. The results derived that the sperm cells in the COVID-19 infected patients showed a significant increase in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, a chemical imbalance that can damage DNA and proteins in the body.

Maleki, who conducted the research along with Tartibian, suggested, “The World Health Organisation should declare the male reproductive system as a vulnerable route of COVID-19 infection.”

He further claimed that the effect of the virus on sperm cells could be associated with lower sperm quality and reduced fertility potential. “These effects may improve with time but may remain abnormally higher in the COVID-19 patients. Bigger the disease, the higher the chances,” said Maleki.

However, experts suggested not to create a false alarm for men as more studies are required to draw hard and fast conclusions, as currently there is no definitive evidence of long-lasting damage caused by COVID-19 to sperm or male reproductive potential.