Detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination in seminal plasma and their association to sperm parameters

There is public concern that COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies negatively affect male fertility. However, evidence for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in seminal plasma is lacking. We examined whether antibodies were detectable in seminal plasma after COVID-19 vaccination in 86 men via a direct antibody measurement and by quantification of their neutralizing activity. The results show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in seminal plasma with a strong correlation to the serum antibodies, increasing with the number of vaccinations. Further, the antibody titers are correlating with the neutralization activity. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination parameters showed no association with markers of sperm quality. Conclusively, this study indicates substantial levels of antibodies in seminal plasma after COVID-19 vaccination that correlate with serum antibody titers, but do not associate with sperm quality. Graphical Image, graphical

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in follicular fluids and their association with assisted reproduction.

Introduction: Every second woman suffering from infertility asks for medical help. There is public concern that vaccination-induced antibodies (Ab) are negatively associated with fertility. A recent study has demonstrated an association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and a lower pregnancy rate in the subsequent 60 days. Consequently, Ab could affect fertility success in assisted reproduction. Methods: To address this question, we compared fertilization outcomes of vaccinated (n=35) and nonvaccinated (n=34) women. Paired serum samples and multiple follicular fluids (FF) (up to 10 from the same donor) were collected during the course of assisted reproduction and characterized for oocyte quality, the presence of Ab and trace element concentrations. Results: The results showed a positive correlation of vaccination-induced neutralizing activity of SARS-CoV-2-Ab in serum and FF. On average, Ab concentrations in serum were higher than in the corresponding FF. However, wide variations in SARS-CoV-2 Ab titers were observed between different FF, correlating to trace element levels, even when retrieved from the same donor. Discussion: Overall, FF contents are highly variable, but no negative association was observed between Ab in serum or FF and fertilization success and oocyte development, supporting the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during assisted reproduction.

Detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination in seminal plasma and their association to sperm parameters.

There is a public concern that COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) negatively affect male fertility. However, the evidence for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 Abs in seminal plasma (SP) is lacking. We examined whether Abs were detectable in SP after COVID-19 vaccination in 86 men using a direct Ab measurement and by quantification of their neutralizing activity. The results show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 Abs in SP, with a strong correlation to the serum Abs, increasing with the number of vaccinations. Furthermore, the Ab titers are correlating with the neutralization activity. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination parameters showed no association with the markers of sperm quality. In conclusion, this study indicates substantial levels of Abs in SP after COVID-19 vaccination that correlate with serum Ab titers but do not associate with sperm quality.

Prediction of survival odds in COVID-19 by zinc, age and selenoprotein P as composite biomarker.

SARS-CoV-2 infections cause the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and challenge the immune system with ongoing inflammation. Several redox-relevant micronutrients are known to contribute to an adequate immune response, including the essential trace elements zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that COVID-19 patients are characterised by Zn deficiency and that Zn status provides prognostic information. Serum Zn was determined in serum samples (n = 171) collected consecutively from patients surviving COVID-19 (n = 29) or non-survivors (n = 6). Data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study were used for comparison. Zn concentrations in patient samples were low as compared to healthy subjects (mean ± SD; 717.4 ± 246.2 vs 975.7 ± 294.0 µg/L, P < 0.0001). The majority of serum samples collected at different time points from the non-survivors (25/34, i.e., 73.5%) and almost half of the samples collected from the survivors (56/137, i.e., 40.9%) were below the threshold for Zn deficiency, i.e., below 638.7 µg/L (the 2.5th percentile in the EPIC cohort). In view that the Se status biomarker and Se transporter selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is also particularly low in COVID-19, we tested the prevalence of a combined deficit, i.e., serum Zn below 638.7 µg/L and serum SELENOP below 2.56 mg/L. This combined deficit was observed in 0.15% of samples in the EPIC cohort of healthy subjects, in 19.7% of the samples collected from the surviving COVID-19 patients and in 50.0% of samples from the non-survivors. Accordingly, the composite biomarker (SELENOP and Zn with age) proved as a reliable indicator of survival in COVID-19 by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 94.42%. We conclude that Zn and SELENOP status within the reference ranges indicate high survival odds in COVID-19, and assume that correcting a diagnostically proven deficit in Se and/or Zn by a personalised supplementation may support convalescence.

Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 infections underlie the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and are causative for a high death toll particularly among elderly subjects and those with comorbidities. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element of high importance for human health and particularly for a well-balanced immune response. The mortality risk from a severe disease like sepsis or polytrauma is inversely related to Se status. We hypothesized that this relation also applies to COVID-19. Serum samples (n = 166) from COVID-19 patients (n = 33) were collected consecutively and analyzed for total Se by X-ray fluorescence and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) by a validated ELISA. Both biomarkers showed the expected strong correlation (r = 0.7758, p <0.001), pointing to an insufficient Se availability for optimal selenoprotein expression. In comparison with reference data from a European cross-sectional analysis (EPIC, n = 1915), the patients showed a pronounced deficit in total serum Se (mean ±SD, 50.8 ±15.7 vs. 84.4 ±23.4 µg/L) and SELENOP (3.0 ±1.4 vs. 4.3 ±1.0 mg/L) concentrations. A Se status below the 2.5th percentile of the reference population, i.e., [Se] <45.7 µg/L and [SELENOP] <2.56 mg/L, was present in 43.4% and 39.2% of COVID samples, respectively. The Se status was significantly higher in samples from surviving COVID patients as compared with non-survivors (Se;53.3 ±16.2 vs. 40.8 ±8.1 µg/L, SELENOP;3.3 ±1.3 vs. 2.1 ±0.9 mg/L), recovering with time in survivors while remaining low or even declining in non-survivors. We conclude that Se status analysis in COVID patients provides diagnostic information. However, causality remains unknown due to the observational nature of this study. Nevertheless, the findings strengthen the notion of a relevant role of Se for COVID convalescence and support the discussion on adjuvant Se supplementation in severely diseased and Se-deficient patients.