Effect of COVID-19 infection on Semen Parameters

Abstract

To investigate the possible effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on semen parameters in recovering men. In this prospective study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 infection on semen parameters in a cohort of 44 reproductive-aged men who had recently recovered from COVID-19. Two sperm samples were collected from these participants at 3 and 6 months after infection and were compared with the patients’ pre-COVID-19 semen parameters. The mean age of the participants was 35±5 years. The mean duration of fever was 3 days. Most of our studied patients 32 (73%) were not hospitalized, and none were admitted to an intensive care unit. Thirty-two cases (73%) had a normal baseline semen analysis. There was no statistically significant change in semen volume after 3 or 6 months or between 3 and 6 months. Meanwhile, the sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and normal morphology significantly declined after 3 and 6 months compared with baseline. These parameters partially recovered after 6 months, compared with 3 months. In contrast to patients with normal baseline semen analysis, patients with abnormal baseline semen analysis had a significant increase in semen volume, a decrease in sperm concentration, and progressive motility at 3 and 6 months. Patients who had high-grade fever had a statistically significant change in total count at 3 and 6 months and normal morphology at 3 months compared with patients with low-grade fever. This study demonstrated that most semen parameters were negatively impacted after COVID-19 infection. The changes were partially reversible 6 months after the infection.