Changes of sperm parameters in men recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19): a comparison between precovid and postcovid period

OBJECTIVES: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is the cause of a global pandemic, is thought to damage the male reproductive system via both direct and indirect pathways, according to several hypotheses. However, there are very limited studies in the literature examining the changes in male sperm parameters before and after COVID-19. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on male reproductive health. METHODS: The men included in the male sexual health cohort of our clinic within the last 6 months were screened, retrospectively. 25 individuals with a history of COVID-19 following the first clinical evaluation who did not have active symptoms at the present were invited to be examined in the 3rd month after COVID-19. The spermiogram parameters of the subjects in the last 6 months before COVID-19 and in the 3rd month after COVID-19 were compared. In addition, SARS CoV-2 PCR analysis was performed on semen samples of all participants. RESULTS: The study group had a mean age of 34.8±7.7, a mean BMI of 26.82±5.3, a Charlson comorbidity index score of 0.16±0.37, and a paternity ratio of 8/25 (32%). COVID-19 severity was mild in 19/25 (76%) of the participants and moderate in 6/25 (24%), with a mean COVID-19 duration of 9.2±5.42 days. The SARS CoV-2 PCR test was negative in the semen samples of all subjects. Although the sperm morphology did not alter, there was a statistically significant decrease in semen volume and sperm concentration, as well as progressive and total sperm motility in the postcovid period compared to the precovid period of the same subject (p<0.05; p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In males who recovered from COVID-19, all spermiogram parameters except sperm morphology were impaired. Long-term cohort studies in larger populations are required to determine whether this deterioration is permanent. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors declare no conflict of interest.