Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Author:
Bang-Wei CHE
1
;
Pan CHEN
1
;
Ying YU
1
;
Wei LI
1
;
Tao HUANG
1
;
Wen-Jun ZHANG
1
;
Sheng-Han XU
1
;
Jun HE
1
;
Miao LIU
1
;
Kai-Fa TANG
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019; male infertility; meta-analysis; semen quality; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- MeSH: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Semen Analysis; Semen; Infertility, Male; Sperm Motility; COVID-19; Sperm Count; Spermatozoa; Testosterone; Gonadal Steroid Hormones
- From: Asian Journal of Andrology 2023;25(3):382-388
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I2 = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I2 = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I2 = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I2 = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I2 = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.
