Sperm quality and absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen after COVID-19 infection: a prospective, observational study and validation of the SpermCOVID test.
Adult
Antibodies, Viral
/ analysis
COVID-19
/ transmission
COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing
/ methods
DNA Damage
DNA Fragmentation
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
/ blood
Infertility, Male
/ virology
Male
Prospective Studies
RNA, Viral
/ analysis
SARS-CoV-2
/ genetics
Semen
/ virology
Semen Analysis
Sperm Count
Sperm Motility
Spermatozoa
/ abnormalities
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
/ immunology
DNA fragmentation index
infertility
real-time quantitative PCR
test validation
transmission risk
Journal
Fertility and sterility
ISSN: 1556-5653
Titre abrégé: Fertil Steril
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0372772
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 2022
02 2022
Historique:
received:
10
07
2021
revised:
24
10
2021
accepted:
26
10
2021
pubmed:
24
12
2021
medline:
10
2
2022
entrez:
23
12
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
To study the contagiousness of sperm and its influence on fertility after recovery from COVID-19 infection. Prospective cohort study. University medical center. One hundred twenty Belgian men who had recovered from proven COVID-19 infection. No intervention was performed. Semen quality was assessed using the World Health Organisation criteria. DNA damage to sperm cells was assessed by quantifying the DNA fragmentation index and the high density stainability. Finally antibodies against SARS-CoV2 spike-1 antigen, nuclear and S1-receptor binding domain were measured by Elisa and chemilumenscent microparticle immunoassays, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in semen during the period shortly after infection nor at a later time. Mean progressive motility was reduced in 60% of men tested shortly (<1 month) after COVID-19 infection, 37% of men tested 1 to 2 months after COVID-19 infection, and 28% of men tested >2 months after COVID-19 infection. Mean sperm count was reduced in 37% of men tested shortly (<1 month) after COVID-19 infection, 29% of men tested 1 to 2 months after COVID-19 infection, and 6% of men tested >2 months after COVID-19 infection. The severity of COVID-19 infection and the presence of fever were not correlated with sperm characteristics, but there were strong correlations between sperm abnormalities and the titers of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody against spike 1 and the receptor- binding domain of spike 1, but not against nucleotide, in serum. High levels of antisperm antibodies developed in three men (2.5%). Semen is not infectious with SARS-CoV-2 at 1 week or more after COVID-19 infection (mean, 53 days). However, couples with a desire for pregnancy should be warned that sperm quality after COVID-19 infection can be suboptimal. The estimated recovery time is 3 months, but further follow-up studies are under way to confirm this and to determine if permanent damage occurred in a minority of men.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34937665
pii: S0015-0282(21)02156-7
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.10.022
pmc: PMC8685303
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Antibodies, Viral
0
Immunoglobulin G
0
RNA, Viral
0
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
0
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Observational Study
Validation Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
287-296Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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