Human semen quality as affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: An up-to-date review

Abstract

Revealing the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen quality is a dynamic priority for many healthcare providers in the field as well as subfertile patients. Therefore, the collective summary in this research approach is still highly needed, especially with the continuous increase in original publications. Here, we provide an up-to-date review and discussion to collectively reveal the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human semen quality. To do this, we reviewed all articles and abstracts published in Scopus and PubMed using the keywords 'SARS-CoV-2' and 'COVID' versus 'sperm' and 'semen'. In summary, it can be revealed that, at both symptomatic and recovery stages of infection, no investigational evidence of SARS-CoV-2 shedding in human semen. Also, the mainstream of the up-to-date published work reveals a negative impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen quality parameters, particularly sperm count and motility. However, long-term post-recovery comparative studies seem very important in this particular setting.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; semen quality; sperm.