Male Infertility in infected patients with COVID-۱۹: A Narrative Review

Due to the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-۱۹) through Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ۲ (SARS-CoV-۲), we still have little knowledge about the mechanisms of pathogenesis of COVID-۱۹. Generally, dysfunction of respiratory system is dominant manifestations in infected patients with COVID-۱۹. Surprisingly, early studies reported that men are more susceptible to COVID-۱۹ compared to women. These findings raise the question of whether COVID-۱۹ infection can negatively affect male fertility. Since Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-۲ (ACE۲) receptor, known as the entrance rout of virus into human cells abundantly on testicular cells, it is hypothesized that the virus can also have devastating effects male fertility. On the other hand, the link between the endogenous androgen milieu with the activation of ACE۲, which can increase serum testosterone levels and thereby intensify the pathogenesis of COVID-۱۹ disease. In addition, inflammatory responses following SARS-CoV-۲ infection, which are associated with increased inflammatory factors and oxidative stress, have been establish to have devastating effects on normal testicular function. Currently, there is emerging finding, which provides support for the susceptibility of male reproduction health to COVID-۱۹ infection. Certainly, clarifying the mechanism of these findings will lead to timely management and treatment of infected patients. In the current review article, we documented an overview of male reproductive function manifestations, possible male infertility mechanisms of COVID-۱۹ infection.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Male Infertility , Angiotencin-Converting Enzymes ۲ , Oxidative stress