tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Middle East Fertil Soc J
. 2021;26(1):44.
doi: 10.1186/s43043-021-00089-w. Epub 2021 Dec 2.
Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sagar Tiwari[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Niranjan Kc[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sajan Thapa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anuja Ghimire[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sanjeev Bijukchhe[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Guru Sharan Sah[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ronny Isnuwardana[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The novel beta-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected millions of people globally with high risk among males than females. However, the effect of COVID-19 andrology is still a subject of dispute. We planned to analyze the overall consequences of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male sex hormones.
Main text: Systematic search was performed on MEDLINE and Scopus database until 11 June 2021. We included observational studies, which reported mean ± standard deviation of the semen parameters and serum sex hormones of those reproductive-aged males recovered from COVID-19 and controls who did not suffered from COVID-19. We used Random-effect model to pool the studies, as heterogeneity was present. The Q test and I [SUP]2[/SUP] evaluated heterogeneity. All articles were assessed with their quality and publication bias.We assessed 966 articles for eligibility and found seven eligible studies. These 7 studies included 934 participants with mean age 37.34 ± 10.5 years. Random-effect model meta-analysis showed that men who recovered from COVID-19 had semen parameters less than those who had not suffered from COVID-19. The overall mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm number, and progressive sperm motility was - 0.20 (- 0.45, 0.05) ml, - 16.59 (- 34.82, 1.65) millions/ml, - 45.44 (- 84.56, - 6.31) millions per ejaculate, - 1.73 (- 8.20, 4.75) percentage respectively. Considering sex hormones, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were higher among those recovered with a significant MD (95% CI) of 3.47 (1.59, 5.35)U l[SUP]-1[/SUP] and 3.21 (1.71, 4.72)ng ml[SUP]-1[/SUP] respectively.
Conclusion: We found that COVID-19 affects both semen parameters and sexual hormones. However, the mechanism for testicular involvement remains doubtful.
. 2021;26(1):44.
doi: 10.1186/s43043-021-00089-w. Epub 2021 Dec 2.
Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sagar Tiwari[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Niranjan Kc[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sajan Thapa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anuja Ghimire[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sanjeev Bijukchhe[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Guru Sharan Sah[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ronny Isnuwardana[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34876801
- PMCID: PMC8638229
- DOI: 10.1186/s43043-021-00089-w
Abstract
Background: The novel beta-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected millions of people globally with high risk among males than females. However, the effect of COVID-19 andrology is still a subject of dispute. We planned to analyze the overall consequences of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male sex hormones.
Main text: Systematic search was performed on MEDLINE and Scopus database until 11 June 2021. We included observational studies, which reported mean ± standard deviation of the semen parameters and serum sex hormones of those reproductive-aged males recovered from COVID-19 and controls who did not suffered from COVID-19. We used Random-effect model to pool the studies, as heterogeneity was present. The Q test and I [SUP]2[/SUP] evaluated heterogeneity. All articles were assessed with their quality and publication bias.We assessed 966 articles for eligibility and found seven eligible studies. These 7 studies included 934 participants with mean age 37.34 ± 10.5 years. Random-effect model meta-analysis showed that men who recovered from COVID-19 had semen parameters less than those who had not suffered from COVID-19. The overall mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm number, and progressive sperm motility was - 0.20 (- 0.45, 0.05) ml, - 16.59 (- 34.82, 1.65) millions/ml, - 45.44 (- 84.56, - 6.31) millions per ejaculate, - 1.73 (- 8.20, 4.75) percentage respectively. Considering sex hormones, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were higher among those recovered with a significant MD (95% CI) of 3.47 (1.59, 5.35)U l[SUP]-1[/SUP] and 3.21 (1.71, 4.72)ng ml[SUP]-1[/SUP] respectively.
Conclusion: We found that COVID-19 affects both semen parameters and sexual hormones. However, the mechanism for testicular involvement remains doubtful.
