Do Not Neglect the Covid-19 Transmission Through Sexual Intercourse

Impact of COVID-19 on testicular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Studies investigating the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function are few and heterogeneous, and results are often conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out on studies conducted in men with active or anamnestic SARS-CoV-2 infection to evaluate its consequences on the male sex hormone profile and semen parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This meta-analysis follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocols. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched to identify relevant studies. We originally selected 3553 articles. After the eligibility phase, 16 articles met our inclusion criteria encompassing 11 case-control studies and 5 cohort studies (2 prospective and 3 retrospective studies). We performed the quantitative analysis with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. Cochran-Q and heterogeneity (I2) indexes were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias tests were also performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 1250 patients with active or recent (up to 80 days before) COVID-19 infection and 1232 matched healthy controls were included. Sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motility were significantly lower in patients compared with controls. Patients also showed lower levels of total testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and higher levels of luteinizing hormone, 17β-estradiol, and prolactin compared with healthy controls. None of the included studies found the presence of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA in the semen of infected patients.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review and meta-analysis suggests the presence of an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and primary testicular damage manifested with a picture of altered steroidogenesis and worsening spermatogenesis. The absence of the virus in the seminal fluid indicates a low possibility of sexual transmission of the infection to partners and offspring. However, our findings mostly show short-term follow-up, while few studies have considered the long-term consequences of the viral infection, thus further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term consequences on male reproductive health.

The Multi-faceted Effects of COVID-19 on Female Reproductive Health: An Updated Narrative Review

Concerns about the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic's possible impact on sexual and reproductive health have grown significantly. In this narrative review, the latest research on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on several facets of sexual and reproductive health is reviewed. The review starts initially by going through the possible consequences of SARS-CoV-2 on female menstrual cycles. The virus may interfere with the menstrual cycle, which could affect hormone synthesis and endometrial reactions, according to newly available evidence. Menstrual blood loss may be impacted by COVID-19's potential to influence endothelial cell function and systemic hemostasis. Hypothalamic amenorrhea may be brought on by severe COVID-19 disease. There is little research on this subject, although most women resume their regular menstrual cycles after 1-2 months of recuperation. The review also examines how SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments. There are few clinical data, although some research points to potential effects on embryo quality. Overall, ART results, however, did not materially change from the time before the epidemic. Obstetric problems are more likely when SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Even though the maternal death rate is still low, pregnant women, especially those with comorbidities, are more likely to experience serious sickness. The review emphasizes how the COVID-19 vaccine affects menstrual cycles, showing brief, modest modifications without serious health hazards. Also included are the psychological effects of family planning choices during the pandemic. In conclusion, this narrative review offers a thorough assessment of the complicated and changing effects of SARS-CoV-2 on sexual and reproductive health. The different requirements of people and couples during and after the pandemic are highlighted, underscoring the necessity for ongoing study and specialized healthcare practices.

Overlooked sex and gender aspects of emerging infectious disease outbreaks: Lessons learned from COVID-19 to move towards health equity in pandemic response

Sex and gender issues are especially important in emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) but are routinely overlooked despite data and practice. Each of these have an effect either directly, via the effects on vulnerability to infectious diseases, exposures to infectious pathogens, and responses to illness, and indirectly through effects on disease prevention and control programs. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has underscored the importance of understanding the sex and gender impacts on pandemics. This review takes a broader looks at how sex and gender impact vulnerability, exposure risk, and treatment and response that affect incidence, duration, severity, morbidity, mortality, and disability of EIDs. And although EID epidemic and pandemic plans need to be "pro-women", they need to be broader and include all sex and gender factors. Incorporation of these factors are a priority at the local, national, and global policy levels to fulfil the gaps in scientific research, public health intervention programs and pharmaceutical service strengthening to reduce emerging disease inequities in the population during pandemics and epidemics. A failure to do so creates acceptance of the inequities and infringes on fairness and human rights norms.

Art-science multidisciplinary collaborations to address the scientific challenges posed by COVID-19

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 constitutes a scientific and social challenge. The application of mixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results to approach scientific challenges. The objective is to develop and implement protean art algorithms with interactions between artists and scientists for scientific research in areas of molecular biology, immunology, ecology and biomedicine. In this perspective, artists were invited to contribute pieces related to the pandemic, and scientists were then challenged to contribute their view and proposed research inspired by artist contribution to face COVID-19 scientific challenges. Proposed research objectives inspired by artist contributions contribute to approach COVID-19 scientific and social challenges with results that may translate into new diagnosis and control interventions. The proposed research objectives approach vaccine protective mechanisms and the development of nutritional interventions with possible impact on boosting protective response to vaccination, the impact of fuel pollutants on host immunity and virus transmission, the possible role of ectoparasite vectors in the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and virus transmission, collaboration between different sectors to contribute to virus surveillance and reduce risks of contagion, characterization of the incidence of zoonotic diseases during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to modifications in the interactions between humans and reservoir animal species, evaluation of the risks associated with sexual or congenital transmission of SARS-CoV-2, development of new methods for the easy and rapid detection of very low SARS-CoV-2 virus amounts in infected but asymptomatic individuals, and understanding society perceptions about the socio-ecological relationships between decoupled environments and the risks and effects of pandemics. This approach may be used to promote social participation in science through combined scientific and artistic perspectives with impact on science and society.KEY MESSAGEMixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results.Implementation of protean art algorithms through interactions between artists and scientists advances scientific research.Proposed research objectives inspired by artist contributions contribute to approach COVID-19 scientific and social challenges with results that may translate into new diagnosis and control interventions.

The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Reproduction, Sexual Function and Behaviors: A Review of the Main Trends and Findings

Objective: This review sought to describe the main trends and findings on the SARS-CoV-2 and the pandemic's effect on reproduction (i.e., effects on fertility, reproductive tissue, pregnancy, vertical and sexual transmission) and sexual function and behaviors. Methods: A review was conducted on studies assessing these variables through the Scopus and PubMed databases between the years 2019-2021. Results: Results showed SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and social distancing measures have affected-and in some cases not-different aspects of people's reproductive function, sexual function and behaviors. Conclusions: Suggestions are offered for researchers and professionals focused on future research and clinical practice.