Francesco Pallotti1, Sandro C Esteves2,3, Fabiana Faja1, Alessandra Buonacquisto1, Anna Chiara Conflitti1, Maria Neve Hirsch1, Andrea Lenzi1, Donatella Paoli1, Francesco Lombardo4. 1. Laboratory of Seminology - Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy. 2. Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Av. Dr. Heitor Penteado, 1464, Campinas, Brazil. 3. Faculty of Health, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. 4. Laboratory of Seminology - Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy. francesco.lombardo@uniroma1.it.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide and, among the others, the male gender was quickly recognized as an independent risk factor for both the disease and its consequences. Since the possibility of long-term hormonal axis changes and male gamete impairment have been hypothesized but a relatively low levels of evidence has been reached, we focused this narrative mini-review on summarizing key state-of-the-art knowledge on male reproductive effects of COVID-19 as a quick reference for reproductive health specialists. METHODS: A comprehensive Medline/PubMed and Embase search was performed selecting all relevant, peer-reviewed papers in English published from 2020. Other relevant papers were selected from the reference lists. RESULTS: Available evidence indicates that the likelihood of direct testicular damage from SARS-CoV-2 is somewhat low, but there are many indirect ways (fever, cytokine imbalance, and drugs) through which the pituitary-gonadal axis and spermatogenesis may be disrupted. These alterations are probably transient, but as available evidence is low quality, it cannot be excluded that previous pathologies or comorbidities might modulate the risk of their persistence. On the other hand, available evidence shows high safety regarding andrological health for available vaccines, although studies are mainly focused on mRNA vaccines. CONCLUSION: A careful andrological evaluation of men recovering from COVID-19 is highly recommended. Since available evidence is relatively scarce, a careful andrological follow-up and counseling of these patients are mandatory.
PURPOSE: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide and, among the others, the male gender was quickly recognized as an independent risk factor for both the disease and its consequences. Since the possibility of long-term hormonal axis changes and male gamete impairment have been hypothesized but a relatively low levels of evidence has been reached, we focused this narrative mini-review on summarizing key state-of-the-art knowledge on male reproductive effects of COVID-19 as a quick reference for reproductive health specialists. METHODS: A comprehensive Medline/PubMed and Embase search was performed selecting all relevant, peer-reviewed papers in English published from 2020. Other relevant papers were selected from the reference lists. RESULTS: Available evidence indicates that the likelihood of direct testicular damage from SARS-CoV-2 is somewhat low, but there are many indirect ways (fever, cytokine imbalance, and drugs) through which the pituitary-gonadal axis and spermatogenesis may be disrupted. These alterations are probably transient, but as available evidence is low quality, it cannot be excluded that previous pathologies or comorbidities might modulate the risk of their persistence. On the other hand, available evidence shows high safety regarding andrological health for available vaccines, although studies are mainly focused on mRNA vaccines. CONCLUSION: A careful andrological evaluation of men recovering from COVID-19 is highly recommended. Since available evidence is relatively scarce, a careful andrological follow-up and counseling of these patients are mandatory.
Authors: Rasmani Hazra; Dannielle Upton; Mark Jimenez; Reena Desai; David J Handelsman; Charles M Allan Journal: Endocrinology Date: 2014-01-01 Impact factor: 4.736
Authors: G Corona; W Vena; A Pizzocaro; F Pallotti; D Paoli; G Rastrelli; E Baldi; N Cilloni; M Gacci; F Semeraro; A Salonia; S Minhas; R Pivonello; A Sforza; L Vignozzi; A M Isidori; A Lenzi; M Maggi; F Lombardo Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 5.467
Authors: G Corona; E Baldi; A M Isidori; D Paoli; F Pallotti; L De Santis; F Francavilla; S La Vignera; R Selice; L Caponecchia; R Pivonello; A Ferlin; C Foresta; E A Jannini; A Lenzi; M Maggi; F Lombardo Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2020-05-27 Impact factor: 4.256