COVID-19 impact on reproduction and fertility

JBRA Assist Reprod. 2021 Apr 27;25(2):310-313. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20200103.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unexpected worldwide situation, and all countries have implemented their own policies to curb the spread of the virus. The pathophysiology of COVID-19 has opened numerous hypotheses of functional alterations in different physiological aspects. The direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the urogenital organs of males and females is still to be assessed. Nevertheless, based on biological similarities between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, several hypotheses have been proposed. In this study, we will discuss the possible mechanism of action, and potential effects on the male/female reproductive system and fertility.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fertility; Reproduction; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / immunology
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism
  • COVID-19*
  • Fertility*
  • Genitalia / immunology
  • Genitalia / metabolism
  • Genitalia / virology
  • Humans
  • Reproduction*
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism

Substances

  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • TMPRSS2 protein, human