The results of a German scientific study have just shown that Covid-19 could affect the quality of sperm.
This virus definitely attacks all parts of the body. A team of German researchers from Justus-Liebig University in Giessen claim that Covid-19 could alter the quality of the sperm of men who contracted it, as reported by AFP, as quoted by Le Parisien. For two months, they regularly analyzed the semen of 84 men (under the age of 40) infected with the coronavirus, most of whom had a severe form, and compared it with that of 105 individuals who had not contracted disease.
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The results are final. In men with Covid-19, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in sperm were twice as high compared to the control group, as shown in the article in the scientific journal Reproduction. The authors also find a "significantly lower" sperm concentration and mobility of the latter and much more sperm with an altered form among participants with Covid. "These results constitute the first direct experimental evidence that the male reproductive system can be targeted and affected by Covid-19", they conclude. They underline that the observed alterations correspond to a state of“Oligoasthenoteratospermia, which is one of the most common causes of subfertility in men. "
No need to worry too much
In recent months, many studies have portrayed real and long-term sequelae caused by Covid-19 infection. For this, however, experts who did not participate in the study tempered by ensuring that further research must be conducted before drawing conclusions. “Men should not be overly alarmed. There is currently no established evidence of long-term damage caused by Covid-19 to sperm or male reproductive potential ”, tempers Alison Campbell, director of embryology for the group of specialized clinics Care Fertility at AFP, quoted by Le Parisien.
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The study authors themselves speculated about the observed results that the results may be due to treatments received by some patients, especially corticosteroids, antivirals and antiretrovirals. Indeed, some studies have already shown the negative impact of these treatments on the quality of sperm. To note that 44% of participants in the Covid group had been treated with corticosteroids and 69% with antivirals.
Another element could also be taken into account, regardless of the action of the coronavirus. "We already know that fever can have a negative impact on sperm production, regardless of the disease that caused it", notes Allan Pacey, male fertility specialist at the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom). Results to be taken with a grain of salt, therefore, while waiting to benefit from more in-depth research on the question.