Can coronavirus cause infertility

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the main question for most of the world’s inhabitants was how to survive during the outbreak of a new disease. Now that there is already a vaccine and proven methods of treatment, humanity is worried about something else: how to live after COVID-19, what potential health problems can await people who have had a coronavirus infection?

In particular, recently the world has been increasingly discussing the possible relationship between the transferred COVID-19 and impaired fertility. Can coronavirus actually cause infertility or is it just another myth? Research data will help answer this question.

The impact of the disease on the male reproductive system

Russian specialists from St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University and Novgorod State University, together with colleagues from Kazakhstan, conducted a study, the results of which concluded that a severe form of COVID-19 can cause complete infertility in men. The specialists analyzed the spermograms of 62 men, first in February-March 2020, and then repeated the analysis six months later.

The data of the first study showed that the analyzes of men were within the normal range, while at that time none of them had coronavirus. During the re-examination, 32 of 62 men already had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, which indicated that they had suffered COVID-19. It turned out that the quality of sperm in those who had recovered significantly deteriorated: the volume of ejaculate decreased, the activity and number of spermatozoa decreased by 1,5-2 times. In addition, 3 men who recovered from severe COVID-19 were diagnosed with azoospermia (complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate) ^[1].

The impact of COVID-19 on male fertility has also been studied by scientists from other countries. In particular, Iranian specialists conducted a study in which 105 healthy men and 84 with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 took part. In addition to other biochemical parameters, the scientists also analyzed the quality of the sperm of the study participants. It turned out that markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the sperm of men with COVID-19 exceeded the rates by more than 100%. In addition, the concentration and mobility of spermatozoa decreased in those who had been ill, and their shape also changed. Although these rates have improved over time, however, scientists have recognized that antiviral therapy used to treat COVID-19 may have undesirable effects on the male reproductive system. ^[2].

Korean experts, after analyzing 24 scientific papers on the impact of infections on male reproductive function, also came to the conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 can be potentially dangerous for the gonads. In the analyzed works, scientists found evidence that changes in the parameters of seminal fluid occur in those infected with COVID-19, the level of testosterone and dihydrosterone decreases, while the concentration of luteinizing hormone increases. ^[3].

And experts at the Israeli Sheba Medical Center found that even in men who had COVID-19 in a mild form, sperm quality is reduced by 50%. At the same time, the deviation from the norm persists even 30 days after the onset of the disease. ^[4].

In addition, Russian doctors also expressed concerns about possible infertility in men who recovered from COVID-19 in childhood. In particular, in the summer of 2020, specialists from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation said that the coronavirus disease caused a 38 percent decrease in sperm quality, although later they clarified that research is ongoing in this area and it is too early to talk about exact results. ^[5].

Is COVID-19 dangerous for female fertility?

The impact of coronavirus infection on the female body has also become the subject of study by specialists from several countries. In particular, Chinese scientists said that theoretically COVID-19 has every chance of causing infertility in women.

As a confirmation of their theory, experts suggest paying attention to the mechanism of penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the tissues of the human body. The main “helper” of the pathogen in this matter is the ACE2 receptors – they facilitate the penetration of the virus into cells.

It turned out that most of these receptors are found in the lung tissue (because of this, the respiratory system suffers the most), as well as in the organs of the female reproductive system (uterus, ovaries). Based on this information, Chinese scientists have suggested that the female reproductive system could also become “easy prey” for the coronavirus. And due to the damage to the tissues of the reproductive organs by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a woman may develop infertility. Research in this direction is ongoing.

Scientists suggest that the likelihood of developing complications of this type largely depends on the methods of treatment of COVID-19 ^[6][7].

Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?

If there is no single answer in the scientific world regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the human reproductive system, then, speaking about the vaccine, experts convince that it is completely safe for men and women of childbearing age.

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