Delayed impacts of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility: 2-year follow-up of normal sperm parameters in unexplained male infertility in KSA.

Abstract

Purpose: The current study aimed to assess the long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility.

Materials and methods: A retrospective comparative study of 134 men attending the infertility outpatient clinic of our institution before exposing to COVID-19 infection in KSA from January 2019 to July 2022. Medical recorded data of these patients who were investigated before COVID-19 infection were retrospectively collected using the hospital's electronic database, including semen analysis, sex hormonal, and ultrasound testicular size, and their data were compared prospectively to collected data after 2-year follow-up.

Results: One hundred and thirty-four infertile males who got COVID-19 infection in KSA (median age, 33 years) were assisted retrospectively preinfection and delayed 2 years postinfection (median of 23 months). Of the 134 men, 44 (32.83%) were asymptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group A), 68 (50.74%) had mild-to-moderate symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group B), and 22 (16.41%) had severe symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group C). There was no significant change between pre- and postinfections in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients regarding the severity of infections. None of the evaluated parameters differed significantly after infections up to 2 years. Results of this study demonstrate that COVID-19 infection does not have significant changes in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size.

Conclusion: The long-term impact of COVID-19 infections has no significant effect on normal sperm parameters, sex hormones, and testicular size in male infertility in KSA.