1
|
Zhang G, Zhi W, Ye F, Xiong D, Zhang Y, Liu F, Zhao Y, Du X, Wu Y, Hou M, Liu J, Wei J, Silang Y, Xu W, Zeng J, Chen S, Liu W. Systematic analyses of the factors influencing sperm quality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8132. [PMID: 38584153 PMCID: PMC10999436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58797-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
To figure out how does SARS-CoV-2 affect sperm parameters and what influencing factors affect the recovery of sperm quality after infection? We conducted a prospective cohort study and initially included 122 men with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The longest time to track semen quality after infection is 112 days and 58 eligible patients were included in our study eventually. We subsequently exploited a linear mixed-effects model to statistically analyze their semen parameters at different time points before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Semen parameters were significantly reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including total sperm count (211 [147; 347] to 167 [65.0; 258], P < 0.001), sperm concentration (69.0 [38.8; 97.0] to 51.0 [25.5; 71.5], P < 0.001), total sperm motility (57.5 [52.3; 65.0] to 51.0 [38.5; 56.8], P < 0.001), progressive motility (50.0 [46.2; 58.0] to 45.0 [31.5; 52.8], P < 0.001). The parameters displayed the greatest diminution within 30 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection, gradually recovered thereafter, and exhibited no significant difference after 90 days compared with prior to COVID-19 infection. In addition, the patients in the group with a low-grade fever showed a declining tendency in semen parameters, but not to a significant degree, whereas those men with a moderate or high fever produced a significant drop in the same parameters. Semen parameters were significantly reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and fever severity during SARS-CoV-2 infection may constitute the main influencing factor in reducing semen parameters in patients after recovery, but the effect is reversible and the semen parameters gradually return to normal with the realization of a new spermatogenic cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and the Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Weiwei Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Dongsheng Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Fulin Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and the Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Yuhong Zhao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
| | - Xinrong Du
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Mingxia Hou
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Jiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Jiajing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Yangzhong Silang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiuzhi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
| | - Shiqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
| | - Weixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hallak J, Caldini EG, Teixeira TA, Correa MCM, Duarte-Neto AN, Zambrano F, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Drevet JR, Dolhnikoff M, Sanchez R, Saldiva PHN. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human spermatozoa associated with an ETosis-like response. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38469742 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 can invade a variety of tissues, including the testis. Even though this virus is scarcely found in human semen polymerase chain reaction tests, autopsy studies confirm the viral presence in all testicular cell types, including spermatozoa and spermatids. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 is present inside the spermatozoa of negative polymerase chain reaction-infected men up to 3 months after hospital discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included 13 confirmed moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients enrolled 30-90 days after the diagnosis. Semen samples were obtained and examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction for RNA detection and by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS In moderate-to-severe clinical scenarios, we identified the severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 inside spermatozoa in nine of 13 patients up to 90 days after discharge from the hospital. Moreover, some DNA-based extracellular traps were reported in all studied specimens. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Although severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 was not present in the infected men's semen, it was intracellularly present in the spermatozoa till 3 months after hospital discharge. The Electron microscopy (EM) findings also suggest that spermatozoa produce nuclear DNA-based extracellular traps, probably in a cell-free DNA-dependent manner, similar to those previously described in the systemic inflammatory response to COVID-19. In moderate-to-severe cases, the blood-testes barrier grants little defence against different pathogenic viruses, including the severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus could also use the epididymis as a post-testicular route to bind and fuse to the mature spermatozoon and possibly accomplish the reverse transcription of the single-stranded viral RNA into proviral DNA. These mechanisms can elicit extracellular cell-free DNA formation. The potential implications of our findings for assisted conception must be addressed, and the evolutionary history of DNA-based extracellular traps as preserved ammunition in animals' innate defence might improve our understanding of the severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 pathophysiology in the testis and spermatozoa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hallak
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Disciplina de Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Androscience, Science & Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory., Androscience Institute, Sao Paulo, Brasil
| | - Elia G Caldini
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago A Teixeira
- Androscience, Science & Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory., Androscience Institute, Sao Paulo, Brasil
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Divisão de Urologia, Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Amapá, Amapá, Brazil
| | | | - Amaro N Duarte-Neto
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Zambrano
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Center of Translational Medicine-Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joël R Drevet
- GReD Institute, CNRS-INSERM-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marisa Dolhnikoff
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raul Sanchez
- Center of Translational Medicine-Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Paulo H N Saldiva
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lauritsen MP, Kristensen TL, Hansen CB, Schneider UV, Talbot AL, Skytte AB, Petersen JH, Johannsen TH, Zedeler A, Albrethsen J, Juul A, Priskorn L, Jørgensen N, Westh H, Freiesleben NLC, Nielsen HS. The impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 on testicular function including insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) in men with mild COVID-19: A longitudinal study. Andrology 2024; 12:437-446. [PMID: 37421657 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may affect the male reproductive system as it uses angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2, which is expressed in testicular tissue, as an entry point into the cell. Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on testicular function, and insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) levels have not previously been assessed during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection on testicular function including INSL3 and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen in non-hospitalised men with mild COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS This longitudinal study included 36 non-hospitalised SARS-CoV-2-positive men (median age 29 years). Inclusion was within seven days following a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test. Reproductive hormone levels, semen parameters, and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in oropharyngeal and semen samples were assessed during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (baseline) and at three- and six-month follow-up. Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank (two samples) test was used to assess time-related alterations in reproductive hormone levels and semen parameters. RESULTS Lower plasma testosterone (T) (total and calculated free (c-fT)) and higher luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations were observed during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (baseline) compared to three- and six-month follow-up. Consequently, ratios of c-fT/LH were lower at baseline compared to three- and six-month follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Concomitantly, lower INSL3 concentrations were observed at baseline compared to three-month follow-up (p = 0.01). The total number of motile spermatozoa was also lower at baseline compared to six-month follow-up (p = 0.02). The alterations were detected irrespective of whether the men had experienced SARS-CoV-2-related fever episodes or not. No SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in semen at any time point. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study showed a reduction in testicular function, which was for the first time confirmed by INSL3, in men mildly affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via semen seems to be low. Febrile episodes may impact testicular function, but a direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 cannot be excluded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mette Petri Lauritsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christine Bo Hansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Uffe Vest Schneider
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Anna Lando Talbot
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | | | - Trine Holm Johannsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Zedeler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laerke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Westh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Nina la Cour Freiesleben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Eckstein V, Glaß K, Leßmann ME, Schaar J, Klimova A, Wimberger P, Goeckenjan M. Assisted reproduction after SARS-CoV-2-infection: results of a single-center cohort-study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:305-313. [PMID: 37815640 PMCID: PMC10769908 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07228-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were studied in a retrospective cohort study. METHODS The outcome of 1581 treatment cycles with embryo transfer at a university fertility center in Germany was compared in years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 335 treatment cycles in 2022 a detailed analysis was carried out depending on infection and immunization status of both partners. RESULTS ART cycles did not differ in most of the parameters examined between 2018-2022. In spite of comparable clinical pregnancy rates, there was a significantly higher miscarriage rate at 34.6% (27/78) in 2022, compared to 19.7% (29/147) in the pre-pandemic years of 2018-2019 (p = 0.014). In 37.0% of the treatment cycles (124/335) 2022 at least one partner reported a SARS-CoV-2-Infection 6 months before ART, mostly with the virus variant Omicron. Clinical pregnancy rates were lower in cycles without infection. Comparing women with confirmed infection to no infection, a significantly higher risk of miscarriage was seen (62.5% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.009). In treatment cycles of partners with basic immunization against SARS-CoV-2 a statistically significant increase of pregnancy rates was seen comparing to cycles with both unvaccinated partners (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION The results indicate a negative impact of SARS-CoV-2-infections up to 6 months on ART treatment, in particular an increased risk of miscarriage. Vaccination was associated with a better outcome of ART treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violet Eckstein
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Glaß
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Leßmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jessica Schaar
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Klimova
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maren Goeckenjan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Paira DA, Beltramone F, Olmedo JJ, Tissera AD, Molina RI, Fux-Otta C, Olivera C, Motrich RD. Persistent oligonecrozoospermia after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. A case report and literature review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20340. [PMID: 37809541 PMCID: PMC10560057 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is known to have deleterious effects on different systems such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, and gastrointestinal. However, conflicting data about the possible implications for male reproductive health and fertility have been reported. In addition, the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain unclear. Herein, we report a case of a 42-year-old man with no known co-morbidities and normal baseline semen quality, who subsequently suffered an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Shortly after, the patient developed sudden oligoasthenozoospermia, even reaching azoospermia, which gradually evolved into persistent severe oligonecrozoospermia, accompanied by semen inflammation and oxidative stress. Remarkably, the latter occurred in the absence of urogenital infections, hormonal imbalances, tissue/organ obstruction/damage, medication or drug treatment, smoking, or exposure to toxins/pollutants, radiation, or high temperature. This case constitutes valuable clinical evidence that adds to the current knowledge in the field and highlights the need for further and longer follow-up studies to better understand the putative long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Andrea Paira
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fernando Beltramone
- OVUM- Centro de Medicina Reproductive, Fetal y Cirugía Ambulatoria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - José Javier Olmedo
- Fundación Urológica Córdoba para la Docencia e Investigación Médica (FUCDIM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | | | - Carolina Fux-Otta
- Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carolina Olivera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ruben Dario Motrich
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Martinez MS, Ferreyra FN, Paira DA, Rivero VE, Olmedo JJ, Tissera AD, Molina RI, Motrich RD. COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and sperm quality impairment that reverses in the short term after disease recovery. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1220048. [PMID: 37497433 PMCID: PMC10366368 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1220048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 exerts deleterious effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, causing more severe disease in men than in women. However, cumulative reported data about the putative consequences on the male reproductive tract and fertility are controversial. Furthermore, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still uncertain. Methods: In this study, we prospectively evaluated levels of inflammatory cytokines and leukocytes in semen and sperm quality parameters in a cohort of 231 reproductive-aged male patients, unvaccinated, who had recovered from mild or severe COVID-19 and in 62 healthy control individuals. Sperm quality was assessed early (less than 3 months) and long (more than 3 and up to 6 months) after having COVID-19. Interestingly, and unlike most reported studies, available extensive background and baseline data on patients' sperm quality allowed performing a more accurate analysis of COVID-19 effects on sperm quality. Results: Significantly higher levels of IL-1β, TNF and IFNγ were detected in semen from patients recently recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 with respect to control individuals indicating semen inflammation. Moreover, patients recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 showed significantly reduced semen volume, lower total sperm counts, and impaired sperm motility and viability. Interestingly, all observed alterations returned to baseline values after 3 or more months after disease recovery. Discussion: These results indicate that COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and impaired semen quality early after disease. However, long COVID-19 seems not to include long-term detrimental consequences on male fertility potential since the observed alterations were reversible after 1-2 spermatogenesis cycles. These data constitute compelling evidence allowing a better understanding of COVID-19 associated sequelae, fundamental for semen collection in assisted reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Sol Martinez
- CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Daniela Andrea Paira
- CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Virginia Elena Rivero
- CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - José Javier Olmedo
- Fundación Urológica Córdoba para la Docencia e Investigación Médica (FUCDIM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea Daniela Tissera
- Fundación Urológica Córdoba para la Docencia e Investigación Médica (FUCDIM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rosa Isabel Molina
- Fundación Urológica Córdoba para la Docencia e Investigación Médica (FUCDIM), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rubén Darío Motrich
- CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kabalkin Y, Bentov Y, Gil M, Beharier O, Jaber S, Moav-Zafrir A, Khwies D, Ben-Meir A, Esh Broder E, Walfisch A, Holzer HEG, Hershko Klement A. Mild COVID-19 Was Not Associated with Impaired IVF Outcomes or Early Pregnancy Loss in IVF Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185265. [PMID: 36142911 PMCID: PMC9505769 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Data collection regarding the effects of COVID-19 on reproduction is ongoing. This study examined the effect of COVID-19 on IVF cycle parameters and early pregnancy outcomes. It included two arms: the first compared non-exposed cycles to post-SARS-CoV-2 IVF cycles. Sperm parameters were also compared. The second, prospective arm compared pregnancy outcomes among IVF patients who contracted COVID-19 during early pregnancy to those who did not. None of the patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The first arm included 60 treatment cycles of women with confirmed COVID-19, compared to 60 non-exposed cycles (either the same patient before exposure or matched non-exposed patients). The outcomes of the treatment cycles did not differ significantly between exposed and non-exposed groups, including number of oocytes, endometrial thickness, fertilization rate and number of top-quality embryos. In 11 cycles, the male partner had also recently recovered: sperm concentration was lower post-exposure: 6.27 million/mL vs. 16.5 pre-exposure (p = 0.008). In 189 patients with IVF-achieved pregnancies, pregnancy loss and hospital admissions did not differ between exposed and non-exposed groups. IVF treatment outcomes and the rate of early pregnancy loss appears to be unaffected by SARS-CoV-2 disease, despite a minor decline in sperm concentration among recent recoverees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yossef Kabalkin
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Yaakov Bentov
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
- Correspondence:
| | - Moran Gil
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Ein Kerem-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91220, Israel
| | - Ofer Beharier
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Sireen Jaber
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Arbel Moav-Zafrir
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Dua’ Khwies
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Assaf Ben-Meir
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Ein Kerem-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91220, Israel
| | - Efrat Esh Broder
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Asnat Walfisch
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Hananel E. G. Holzer
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Anat Hershko Klement
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- The IVF Unit, Hadassah Mount Scopus-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| |
Collapse
|