Metabolic, Oxidative and Psychological Stress as Mediators of the Effect of COVID-19 on Male Infertility: A Literature Review.

Over 300 million patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported worldwide since the outbreak of the pandemic in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 is induced by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male reproductive system is unclear. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility and the impact of possible mediators, such as metabolic, oxidative and psychological stress. SARS-CoV-2 infection aggravates metabolic stress and directly or indirectly affects male fertility by reducing seminal health. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased psychological distress. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces male fertility, possibly by means of metabolic, oxidative and psychological stress. Therefore, among other consequences, the possibility of COVID-19-induced male infertility should not be neglected.

International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022 Apr 26*** epublish ***

Gesthimani Mintziori, Leonidas H Duntas, Stavroula Veneti, Dimitrios G Goulis

Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou Gneral Hospital, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece., Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Thyroid Section, Evgenideion Hospital, University of Athens, 20 Papadiamantopoulou Str., 11528 Athens, Greece.