COVID-19 vaccine does not affect male reproductive health (Based on RNA sequencing data)

Objective. To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccine on molecular features of semen samples based on the gene expression analysis. Materials and methods. 10 men of reproductive age with no history of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were inlcuded in this study. Six men were planning to get vector-based COVID-19 vaccine «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya, four men were included in the control group. Gene expression level in semen samples of men who received COVID-19 vaccine was analyzed using RNA-sequencing (semen samples were collected prior to the vaccination and 75 days after the administration of the second dose of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» vaccine). The semen samples, collected of men of the control group at the same time interval, were also analyzed using RNA-sequencing. Results. Comparative analysis of the gene expression level in the semen samples collected prior to and after getting COVID-19 vaccine did not reveal statistically significant changes in the intracellular molecular pathways functioning. Conclusion. Study results indicate the absence of an adverse effects of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») vaccine on molecular features of semen samples. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Impact of COVID-19 and other viral infections of male fertility (preliminary data)

Objective. To study the parameters of the hormonal status, hemostasis parameters, biochemical blood test and semen analysis in men of reproductive age who have undergone a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Material and methods. The study included 50 men who had a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and received treatment in hospital setting. The study was conducted 3 months later in the presence of positive IgG antibodies to COVID-19. All patients underwent a comprehensive examination, including the study of the hormonal profile, hemostasis parameters, biochemical blood test, identification of concomitant urological diseases, as well as semen analysis (concentration, mobility, morphology, MAR-test), according to WHO 2010 criteria. Results. The examination revealed a decrease in the level of total testosterone in 19 (38%) patients. The values ranged from 6.41 to 10 nmol/l (reference values 10.50-35.40 nmol/l). The biochemical blood analysis revealed the following changes: an increase in creatinine levels to 117-180 muM / L (reference values 80-115 muM/L) in 15 (30%) patients, total bilirubin (22-42.7 muM/L (reference values 1.7-21.0 muMol/L) in 9 (18%) patients, alanine aminotransferase 43-109 U/L (reference values 0.0-41 U/L) in 19 (38%) patients, the level of aspartate aminotransferase was 45-82 U/L (with a norm of 0.0-40 U/L) in 10 (20%) patients Analysis of the hemostasis revealed hypercoagulation in 11 (22%) patients, and hypocoagulation in 6 (12%) patients. Abnormalities in the semen analysis were found in 10 (20%) patients with teratozoospermia in all the samples. In 8 (16%) patients, leukospermia was determined. There was a statistically significant decrease in the serum total testosterone level in 38% of patients (p<0.025). At the same time, the levels of follicle-stimulating hormones, luteinizing hormones, estradiol and prolactin remained within the reference values. Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrated the changes in sperm morphology, an increase in the number of leukocytes in the ejaculate and a decrease in testosterone levels in patients who have undergone a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). There were deviations in the biochemical blood test and hemostasis parameters. The given data are preliminary. In order to perform a comprehensive statistical analysis further studies are needed on a larger sample of patients who have had a new coronavirus infection Цель исследования. Изучить параметры гормонального статуса, определить особенности параклинических данных (коагулограмма, биохимический анализ крови), показатели спермограммы у мужчин репродуктивного возраста, перенесших новую коронавирную инфекцию (COVID-19). Материал и методы. В исследование включены 50 мужчин, перенесших новую коронавирусную инфекцию (COVID-19) и получавших лечение в условиях стационара. Исследование проводилось через 3 мес при наличии положительных антител IgG к COVID-19. Все пациенты проходили комплексное обследование, включающее изучение гормонального профиля, параметров коагулограммы, биохимического анализа крови, выявление сопутствующих урологических заболеваний, а также оценку параметров спермограммы (концентрация, подвижность, морфология, MAR-тест), согласно критериям ВОЗ 2010. Результаты. В результате обследования у 19 (38%) пациентов выявлено снижение уровня общего тестостерона. Значения колебались в пределах от 6,41 до 10 нмоль/л (референсные значения 10,50-35,40 нмоль/л). В биохимическом анализе крови выявлены следующие изменения: повышение уровня креатинина - 117-180 мкМоль/л (референсные значения 80-115 мкМоль/л) у 15 (30%) пациентов, общего билирубина - 22-42,7 мкМоль/л (референсные значения 1,7-21,0 мкМоль/л) у 9 (18%) пациентов, аланинаминотрансферазы - 43-109 Ед/л (референсные значения 0,0-41 Ед/л) у 19 (38%) пациентов, уровня аспартатаминотрансферазы - 45-82 Ед/л (при норме 0,0-40 Ед/л) у 10 (20%) пациентов. При анализе коагулограммы у 11 (22%) пациентов выявлены признаки гиперкоагуляции, у 6 (12%) - гипокоагуляции. По результатам исследования, обнаружены отклонения в спермограмме у 10 (20%) пациентов, при этом тератозооспермия отмечена во всех исследуемых образцах (снижение количества морфологически нормальных сперматозоидов в 2 раза и более). У 8 (16%) пациентов определена лейкоспермия (повышение количества лейкоцитов в нативном эякуляте в 2 раза и более). Отмечено статистически значимое снижение сывороточного уровня общего тестостерона у 38% пациентов (p<0,025). Вместе с тем уровень фолликулостимулирующего, лютеинизирующего гормонов, эстрадиола и пролактина оставался в пределах референсных значений. Выводы. Результаты данного исследования показывают изменения морфологии сперматозоидов, повышение количества лейкоцитов в эякуляте и снижение уровня тестостерона у пациентов, перенесших новую коронавирусную инфекцию (COVID-19). Наблюдаются отклонения в показателях биохимического анализа крови и гемостазиограммы. Приведенные данные являются предварительными. Необходимо проведение дальнейших исследований на большей выборке пациентов, перенесших новую коронавирусную инфекцию, для выполнения полноценного статистического анализа.

Impact of covid-19 and other viral infections of male fertility (Literature review)

An infectious factor is the cause of male infertility in 15% of cases. Male infertility can be associated with several viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), mumps virus and SARS-CoV virus. The emergence of a new infection, COVID-19, contributes to a thorough study of the possible consequences of this disease on male fertility. This literature review provides up-to-date information on the impact of COVID-19 and other viral infections on male reproductive health. © 2020, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Covid-19 and men’s reproductive health (Literature review)

According to the world statistics, men are much more susceptible to infection with the new coronavirus than women. Nowadays, investigation of potential impact of COVID-19 on men’s reproductive health is a particularly relevant topic. Previous research has shown that more than 25 viruses, including herpes simplex virus and human immunodeficiency virus, can infect human sperm. It is currently not fully understood whether the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has a negative impact on sperm quality and whether the virus is sexually trans-mitted. Published data indicate decreased sperm quality and possible development of orchitis in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, severe stress and corticosteroid therapy may be risk factors for patients’ sexual dysfunction. Thus, further studies are needed to determine the effects of COVID-19 on men’s reproductive health, which will help to optimize the management and rehabilitation of these patients. © 2020, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.