The impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health: a Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility. DATA SOURCES: The study draws upon data extracted from PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases. STUDY SELECTION: The review incorporates cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and clinical trials, encompassing investigations related to the subject matter. The studies included were published between June 2020 and March 2023, and encompassed content in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Exclusion criteria encompassed review articles, case reports, abstracts, studies involving animal models, duplicate articles, and letters to the editor. DATA COLLECTION: Data extracted included the author's name and publication year, the number of patients studied, patient age, the presence of COVID-19 in semen, observed hormonal changes, and alterations in seminal quality. CONCLUSIONS: While hormonal changes and a decline in seminal quality were observed in COVID-19 patients, the virus itself was not detected in semen in the analyzed articles, which contradicts certain findings in the existing literature. It is essential to note that methodologies in the studies were diverse, and, due to the novelty of this infection, it is premature to definitively ascertain its long-term effects on male fertility or whether fertility can recover after a period of convalescence. This underscores the necessity for further research, utilizing more robust methodologies such as cohort studies.

Acute murine-betacoronavirus infection impairs testicular steroidogenesis and the quality of sperm production.

Although several testicular alterations promoted by coronavirus infection have been demonstrated, the extent, causes, and players of testicular pathogenesis are not totally understood. The present study aimed to investigate the short-term effects on male fertility of intranasally administered murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3), a member of the genus Betacoronavirus, which causes a severe systemic acute infection. This mouse model might be used as a in vivo prototype for investigating the impact of betacoronavirus on the endocrine and exocrine testicular functions with the advantage to be performed in a biosafety level 2 condition. Herein, we performed virological, histopathological, and molecular studies regarding the testicular spermatogenesis and the spermatic quality analyses in an MHV-3-infected C57BL/6 mice. The main outcomes showed that MHV-3 infects mouse testis and induces a testicular inflammatory state, impairing the steroidogenic pathway. The infection led to several alterations in the testicular parenchyma, such as: seminiferous epithelium sloughing, retention of residual bodies, germ cell apoptosis, alterations in intercellular junction proteins, and worse spermatogenic parameters. Moreover, the levels of plasmatic testosterone as well as the quality of sperm production reduced. Therefore, the present data suggest that the viral/inflammatory impairment of the steroidogenic pathway and the consequent imbalance of androgen levels is critical in testicular pathology, disturbing the SC barrier function and the germ cell differentiation. Our study is important for comprehending the effects of beta coronavirus infections on testis function in order to develop treatments that could prevent virus-mediated male infertility.

Actualización sobre COVID-19 e histofisiología del sistema reproductor masculino / Update on COVID-19 and histophysiology of the male reproductive system

RESUMEN: La reciente pandemia de la COVID-19 ha sacudido a la sociedad teniendo una importante repercusión en el campo de la salud y de la investigación. Dada su relevancia, se han llevado a cabo estudios sobre los efectos del SARS-CoV-2 en la fisiología humana. En concreto, sobre la posible presencia y transmisión del virus a través del sistema reproductor masculino y su posible efecto en el éxito reproductivo. Conocer si la presencia del virus altera los órganos responsables del desarrollo y maduración de las células de la serie espermatogénica podría revelarnos su implicación en la calidad seminal. Por ello, nos planteamos esta revisión, con el fin de analizar las principales evidencias científicas sobre los efectos del SARS-CoV-2 en la histofisiología del sistema reproductor masculino y sobre la capacidad fecundante de los espermatozoides.

SUMMARY: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up society, having a significant impact on the field of health and research. Given its relevance, studies have been performed on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on human physiology. In particular, the possible presence and transmission of the virus through the male reproductive system could affect reproductive success. Knowing if the presence of the virus disrupts the organs responsible for the development and maturation of the cell lines involved in spermatogenesis could reveal its implications in sperm quality. For that reason, we proposed this review, in order to analyze the main scientific evidence on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the histophysiology of the male reproductive system and sperm fertilizing capacity.

SARS-CoV-2 and its relationship with the genitourinary tract: Implications for male reproductive health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, named coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), is not the first well-known spillover of an animal originated virus to infect humans. However, one of the few to make such a fast jump in a powerful evolutionary shortcut. The incredible pattern of aggressiveness worldwide since the beginning of the outbreak is that up to 20% of those infected need hospitalization and 5% evolve to critical conditions, not limited to respiratory-related issues, but rather to systemic involvement. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to summarize the current knowledge about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male genitourinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A narrative review was carried out to identify articles on the SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male genitourinary system. RESULTS: Considerations were made about the molecular characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and immune response to coronavirus. We discussed the influence of the virus on the urinary system, potential mechanisms of COVID-19- related acute kidney injury (AKI), and the role of cytokine release syndrome on the renal pathophysiology of the disease. In the male reproductive tract, it was discussed the testis' vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 invasion and the possible adverse effects on its function and the seminal findings of COVID-19. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an international coordinated scientific effort must arise to understand the role of the urogenital system in the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the clinical setting.

Male Partners of Infertile Couples with Seminal Infections of Human Papillomavirus Have Impaired Fertility Parameters.

Several studies have addressed the impact of viral infections on male infertility. However, it is still unknown whether human papillomavirus (HPV) can alter seminal parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in the semen of male partners of couples seeking fertility evaluation. Additionally, we assessed the possibility that HPV infections affect seminal parameters. A total of 229 semen samples were collected from men in the Sperm Analysis Section of São Camilo Laboratory of Maringá, Brazil, between October 2015 and March 2016. Basic seminal parameters were analyzed, and HPV was detected and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction. HPV DNA was detected in 16.6% of samples. Of these, 10.5% had single type HPV infections, 6.1% had multiple HPV infections, 5.7% had exclusively high-risk HPV, and 6.1% had exclusively low-risk HPV. Samples positive for single and multiple types of HPV were associated with abnormal viscosity, and samples positive for multiple HPV types were also associated with hypospermia, higher pH, and increased leukocyte numbers. These findings suggest that the male partners of infertile couples with seminal HPV infections may have prostate disturbances indicative of glandular dysfunction, which may influence fertility.

Orchitis in roosters with reduced fertility associated with avian infectious bronchitis virus and avian metapneumovirus infections.

The pathogenesis of infection involving both infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) causes reproductive damage in hens after viral replication in the epithelium of the oviduct, resulting in loss of cilia and degeneration and necrosis of the epithelial and glandular cells. Although IBV has been indicated as a possible cause of the formation of calcium stones in the epididymus of roosters, a definitive association has not been confirmed. This report describes the detection of IBV and aMPV in the testes of roosters from a Brazilian poultry broiler breeder's flock with epididymal stones and low fertility. Samples of testis, trachea, and lungs from breeder males aged 57 wk were positive for IBV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus isolation and testis samples were also positive for aMPV by RT-PCR. The inoculation of testis samples into embryonated chicken eggs via the allantoic cavity resulted in curled, hemorrhagic, and stunted embryos typical of IBV infection. The allantoic fluid was positive by RT-PCR aimed to amplify the region coding for the S1 subunit of the IBV S gene, but it was not positive for aMPV. Sequence analysis of the amplified fragment revealed a close relationship with European IBV genotype D274, previously unreported in Brazil. These results indicate that IBV and perhaps aMPV are likely to have played a role in the pathogenesis of the testicular disease described and should be regarded as factors that can influence male fertility disease in chickens.

[Blue tongue. Update on the agent and the disease]. / Lengua Azul. Actualización sobre el agente y la enfermedad.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants. It is particularly damaging in sheep, where up to half of infected animals may die, showing inflammation and hemorrhages of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and intestines. In cattle and goats, BT rarely causes disease, however it can affect the animal's reproductive ability, so that losses are not easily estimated. Bluetongue virus spreads from animal to animal by biting insects of the genus Culicoides; and this is the reason why the disease is more prevalent in geographic areas where climate conditions are favourable for their development. The disease was first recognized in South Africa in the late 1700's, but it was not until the early 1900's that it was described in detail, and at present, epizootiology and pathogenesis studies are still being carried on.

Lengua Azul. Actualización sobre el agente y la enfermedad / Blue tongue. Update on the agent and the disease

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants. It is particularly damaging in sheep, where up to half of infected animals may die, showing inflammation and hemorrhages of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and intestines. In cattle and goats, BT rarely causes disease, however it can affect the animals reproductive ability, so that losses are not easily estimated. Bluetongue virus spreads from animal to animal by biting insects of the genus Culicoides; and this is the reason why the disease is more prevalent in geographic areas where climate conditions are favourable for their development. The disease was first recognized in South Africa in the late 1700s, but it was not until the early 1900s that it was described in detail, and at present, epizootiology and pathogenesis studies are still being carried on.(AU)