SPERM CONCENTRATION, SPERM MOTILITY AND TOTAL MOTILE SPERM COUNT ARE NOT AFFECTED BY CORONOVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) INFECTION

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the parameters of sperm analysis in a group of healthy sperm donors before and after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The study included semen analysis from eligible sperm donors aged 25-56 who had abstinence of 3-9 days and provided sperm before and after COVID-19 infection. Data were obtained from the patients who applied to our infertility clinic for semen analysis or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Ejaculate volume (mL), average concentration (M/mL), percent motility (percent), and total motile sperm count (M) were the primary outcomes. Data were compared and analyzed by paired samples t test and Wiloxon’s test. A total of 13 qualified sperm donors met inclusion criteria for this study. There was no significant difference in concentration, motility, or total motile sperm count in the patients’ semen parameters before and after the infection (p>0.05) (Table 1).Table 1MeanNStd. DeviationStd. Error MeanP valuePre-Covid Abstinence (Day)4.5385131.85362.514100.607bPost-Covid Abstinence (Day)4.2308131.53590.42598Pre-Covid Volume (mL)3.9462131.99065.552110.889bPost-Covid Volume (mL)3.9846132.09239.58032Pre-Covid Concentration (M/ml)53.86891337.8682210.502750.313aPost-Covid Concentration (M/ml)64.86341343.9659612.19396Pre-Covid A+B (%)41.30771321.700176.018540.852aPost-Covid A+B (%)41.92311320.357075.64604Pre-Covid TMSC (M)112.57631394.0436026.083000.570aPost-Covid TMSC (M)127.58231396.7013126.82012apaired samples t testbWiloxon’s testTMSC: Total Motile Sperm Count Open table in a new tab apaired samples t test bWiloxon’s test TMSC: Total Motile Sperm Count COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has sparked a global pandemic that hit the world in 2020, offering a huge challenge to healthcare systems and affected populations (1). One of the known effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection is invasion or damage to the male reproductive system. To enter host cells, the virus uses the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor (2). Furthermore, ACE2 is extensively expressed in testicular tissue, and SARS-CoV-2 has been found in semen (3). SARS-CoV-2 can also infect cells through the host cell receptor CD147 (basigin, BSG), a transmembrane glycoprotein crucial for the blood–testis barrier's integrity (BTB) (4). Sperm quality measures were not significantly different in qualified, otherwise healthy sperm donors prior to COVID infection and after recovery.