Thu Sep 12 03:56:00 UTC 2024: ## COVID-19 Impacts Male Fertility: New Study Reveals Negative Effects on Sperm and Hormones
**Bangalore, India** – A new study published in *PLOS ONE* reveals that COVID-19 infections have a significant negative impact on male fertility, affecting semen quality and hormone levels. Researchers conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of 40 studies examining the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive health.
The study found that men infected with COVID-19 experienced a consistent decrease in ejaculate volume, with sensitivity analyses confirming the robustness of this finding. While the impact of treatment partially improved some affected parameters, the study highlights that these improvements may not be sufficient to restore pre-infection levels, especially for sperm concentration and motility.
Furthermore, the study identified a significant decrease in sperm count, concentration, viability, and motility in men with COVID-19. Though sperm morphology showed no significant differences between infected and uninfected individuals, within-individual comparisons revealed lower levels of morphologically normal sperm after infection, suggesting a subtle yet impactful effect of SARS-CoV-2.
The study also found significant alterations in reproductive hormone levels. COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated prolactin and marginally higher estrogen levels, while testosterone levels showed substantial variability before and after treatment, indicating a more complex impact of the virus on this hormone.
The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on male fertility and explore potential therapeutic interventions to mitigate these adverse effects. This study provides crucial insights into the potential consequences of COVID-19 for men’s reproductive health and underscores the importance of ongoing research in this area.
First Piper 