An overview of sex hormones in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz; Mojdeh Banaei; Sareh Dashti; Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani

doi:10.2217/fvl-2021-0058

An overview of sex hormones in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Future Virol. 2021 Jul:10.2217/fvl-2021-0058. doi: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0058. Epub 2021 Jul 20.

Authors

Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz¹, Mojdeh Banaei², Sareh Dashti³, Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani¹

Affiliations

¹ Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985717413, Iran.
² Mother & Child Welfare Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, 7916613885, Iran.
³ Department of Midwifery, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, 9187147578, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: Sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes might be explained from a sex hormones (SexHs) perspective. Materials & methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched up to March 2021. Results: Based on the literature review, the crosstalk between SexHs (estrogens, progesterone and testosterone), their receptors (estrogen α and β, androgen, and progesterone) and the immune system shaped the sex-related differences in immune responses against COVID-19. Differential production of SexHs over the lifespan (during pregnancy, reproductive years, menopause and andropause) and over different seasons may result in disparities in body response toward COVID-19. Moreover, SexHs-specific differences might affect vaccine efficacy and response to treatment. Conclusion: The roles of SexHs need to be considered in vaccine development and even treatment of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; androgens; estradiol; female; genes; gonad; male; risk factor; sex hormone; sex specific.

Publication types

Review