Resolution of sperm quality impairment following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A prospective study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the length of time required to resolve COVID-19 effects on semen quality and DNA integrity.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 42 men who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and underwent semen analysis at baseline and four months’ post-recovery. Semen samples were collected and evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic parameters, sperm chromatin maturation, and DNA fragmentation.

Results: The mean age of participants was 37(±7) years, and 14% had normozoospermia at baseline. After a four-month recovery from COVID-19, 48% of patients had normozoospermia. Sperm count, motility, and morphology increased significantly, while sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm chromatin maturation decreased significantly post-recovery from COVID-19.

Conclusions: Sperm parameters improve after a four-month recovery from COVID-19. The findings indicate significant improvements in sperm count, motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin maturation after a four-month recovery period.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 / Male fertility / Recovery / Sperm DNA fragmentation / Sperm parameter

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We are sincerely thankful to the study participants.

Funding

The Research Vice-Chancellor of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences provided the budget for the study.

Authors’ contributions

Marzieh Derakhshan, Maryam Derakhshan, Elham Naghshineh, Minoo Movahedi, and Hatav Ghasemi-Tehrani contributed to the conception and design of the study. Atefeh Bamarinejad and Fatemeh Bamarinejad conducted the data analysis and were primarily responsible for drafting the manuscript. These authors also played key roles in critically reviewing, and substantially editing the manuscript to ensure the validity and accuracy of the results. Zeinab Omidvar, Maryam Derakhshan, and Marzieh Derakhshan carried out the ethical procedure as well as they contributed to the data collection. All contributing authors approved the final manuscript.

Publisher’s Note

The Publisher of the Journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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