Post-coronavirus disease 2019 sequelae on male-reproductive functions: A cohort observational study

Abstract

Objectives The corona virus SARS-COV-2 has affected millions of people all over the world with much affection and damage to body systems and organs, and still, its long-term effects are debatable. Up till now, a lot of ongoing researches are being conducted to evaluate the deleterious effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on various systems, including reproduction, however, it is still debatable. Patients and methods Our cohort study included a total of 57 male COVID-19 patients, confirmed positive via nasopharyngeal PCR swab. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the severity of COVID-19 infection and post-COVID sequelae on male-reproductive functions as regards semen parameters and male-hormone profile at the first and third month after discharge from the hospital. Results Our results have demonstrated highly statistically significant changes in sperm concentration, sperm total, and progressive motility, as well as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and E2-hormone levels on the first and third month post-COVID infection with P value less than 0.001. In the same context, there was a statistical significance to testosterone-hormone level with P value 0.003. According to COVID-19 severity, there was a highly significant correlation between the degree of severity and affection of sperm concentration, total, and progressive motility with P value less than 0.001. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between the severity of infection and male-hormone profile. Conclusion The current study revealed a negative influence of COVID-19 infection on semen parameters as well as male-sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and E2) on the first and third month post-COVID infection; however, only semen parameters were affected by the degree of disease severity.