Male infertility: before and after the era of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

It has been found that men are infected with the coronavirus 1.5 times more often than women, but at the same time 95% of them have mild infection. There are questions that require a scientific explanation: why are men infected more often and more susceptible than women, does the virus cross the blood-testicular barrier, can it be found in the seminal fluid, does SARS-CoV-2 have an effect on the production of androgens, is the testicle affected and what are the consequences of this damage, what is the direct effect of a virus and virus-associated problems (such as social problems, isolation, quarantine, psychological problems, sedentary lifestyle, etc.) primarily on sexual function, sexual behaviour and reproduction in general? The review article examines the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic-associated situation in 2020 and its effect on the men’s health. The article provides data on epidemiology, aspects of pathogenesis, features of new coronavirus infection in men. The authors announced the international reproduction associations (ASRM, ESHRE, RAHR) recommendations for the implementation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs in the era of the pandemic. Different points of view on the effect of testosterone on the disease incidence in men are presented. The importance of sperm oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy for male infertility has been shown. The tasks of an international project for the study of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection and its consequences on men’s health are outlined. An invitation to collaboration with domestic and foreign specialists in the field of urology and andrology under the aegis of the National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has been published.