Pathological findings in semen analysis from COVID-19 survivors and the impact of various SARS-COV-2 vaccines on spermatogenesis.

Male reproductive health depends on many factors, including whether infectious diseases occur in the reproductive system. Such changes may be reflected in the semen analysis. In the past three years, the number of individuals who fell ill with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been growing worldwide, including in Russia. This infection causes dysfunction and a negative effect on many organs and systems, including reproductive organs, which is reflected in abnormal semen parameters. Despite the high efficacy and small number of side effects found in clinical trials, only 56% of the population in the US and 49% in the Russian Federation reported wanting the vaccine. One of the reasons for distrust of vaccines is the potential negative impact on fertility. A literature review is devoted to the study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination on male reproductive health. The search was carried out using Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

Exploration of potential mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 induced immune inflammatory response leading to progression of atherosclerosis and prediction of traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating based on bioinformatics.

Objective To explore the core targets and important pathways of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced atherosclerosis (AS) progression from the perspective of immune inflammation, so as to predict the potential prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods Microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and AS patients, and the "limmar" and "Venn" packages were used to screen out the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) genes in both diseases. The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed on the common DEGs to annotate their functions and important pathways. The two gene sets were scored for immune cells and immune function to assess the level of immune cell infiltration. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database, and the CytoHubba plug-in of Cytoscape was used to identify the hub genes. Two external validation datasets were introduced to validate the hub genes and obtain the core genes. Immuno-infiltration analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed on the core genes respectively. Finally the potential TCM regulating the core genes were predicted by Coremine Medical database. Results A total of 7898 genes related to COVID-19, 471 genes related to AS progression;And 51 common DEGs, including 32 highly expressed genes and 19 low expressed genes were obtained. GO and KEGG analysis showed that common DEGs, which were mainly localized in cypermethrin-encapsulated vesicles, platelet alpha particles, phagocytic vesicle membranes and vesicles, were involved in many biological processes such as myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent Toll-like receptor signaling pathway transduction, interleukin-8 (IL-8) production and positive regulation, IL-6 production and positive regulation to play a role in regulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity, Toll-like receptor binding and lipopeptide and glycosaminoglycan binding through many biological pathways, including Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, complement and coagulation cascade reactions. The results of immune infiltration analysis demonstrated the state of immune microenvironment of COVID-19 and AS. A total of 5 hub genes were obtained after screening, among which Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) and complement C1q subcomponent subunit B (C1QB) genes passed external validation as core genes. The core genes showed strong correlation with immune process and inflammatory response in both immune infiltration analysis and GSEA enrichment analysis. A total of 35 TCMs, including Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Taoren (Persicae Semen), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba), Taizishen (Pseudostellariae Radix), Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma), could be used as potential therapeutic agents. Conclusion TLR2, CD163 and C1QB were the core molecules of SARS-CoV-2-mediated immune inflammatory response promoting AS progression, and targeting predicted herbs were potential drugs to slow down AS progression in COVID-19 patients.Copyright © 2023 Editorial Office of Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. All rights reserved.

SARS-CoV-2 effects on male reproduction: should men be worried??

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has placed a global challenge on both healthcare and society. So far, studies have shown that men are more prone to become ill than women and are more likely to die compared to female patients. Higher rates of positive cases and fatality in men than women have drawn the attention of scientists to investigate the possible impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system. In this review, we tried to summarise so far findings on the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive function to further assess the potential risks of this novel coronavirus on male reproductive health.

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and male fertility: Something we should be worried about?

As of 2021, roughly 5 million deaths were linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection based on World Health Organization estimates. The pandemic takes its staggering death toll, severely affecting the healthcare systems and leading to detrimental implications globally. While the severe impact on the respiratory system is well-established, the exact effect on male reproduction is still largely uncharted territory. When it comes to gender, men appear more vulnerable compared to women. Increasing evidence suggests that COVID-19 adversely affects spermatogenesis and hormonal balance in diverse ways. Semen parameters seem to be compromised at least temporarily, while long-term worsening needs to be clarified in studies with extended follow-up. For the time being, no data support the adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccines on a male's reproductive health. In the present article, we examine the available literature and briefly discuss the impact of the virus on reproduction and fertility. We further provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of vaccination and its potential effect on male fertility. Ultimately, we address the need for future well-designed large-scale trials before drawing definite conclusions on the exact impact of the virus on a male's fecundity.

A systematic review of the effect of COVID-19 on semen parameters.

Background and objectives: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, more and more studies have proved that it has an impact on the male reproductive system. The purpose of this article is to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on male semen parameters, further analyze the incidence and risk factors of diseases related to semen parameters, and put forward to corresponding preventive measures. Methods: Retrieved from PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinicaltrails, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang Database and VIP to collect research on the effects of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system. The literature search was conducted until January 2022. In strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened the literature and comprehensively analyzed five cohort studies on the impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive system. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the included cohort studies, and Revman 5.4.1 was applied for statistical analysis. Results: Semen volume (RR = -0.10; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.26; P = 0.60), there was no significant difference between the test group and the control group; Sperm count (RR = -45.28; 95% CI: 66.38, 24.19; P = 0.0001), the sperm count of the COVID-19 test group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant; Sperm concentration (RR = -15.65 × 106; 95%CI: 31.52 × 106, 0.21 × 106; P = 0.05), there was no significant difference between the test group and the control group; progressive sperm motility (RR = 4.31; 95% CI: 4.62, 13.24; P = 0.34), there was no effect on progressive sperm motility in the COVID-19 test group compared with the control group. Conclusions: COVID-19 can reduce semen quality and affect male fertility. However, due to the limitations of this study, this conclusion needs to be further verified by large-sample, high-quality prospective cohort studies on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive function.

CBPH assay for the highest sensitive detection of SARS-COV-2 in the semen.

BACKGROUND: Great concerns have been raised on SARS-CoV-2 impact on men's andrological well-being, and many studies have attempted to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 is present in the semen and till now the data are unclear and somehow ambiguous. However, these studies used quantitative real-time (qRT) PCR, which is not sufficiently sensitive to detect nucleic acids in clinical samples with a low viral load. METHODS: The clinical performance of various nucleic acid detection methods (qRT-PCR, OSN-qRT-PCR, cd-PCR, and CBPH) was assessed for SARS-CoV-2 using 236 clinical samples from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Then, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of 12 recovering patients was investigated using qRT-PCR, OSN-qRT-PCR, cd-PCR, and CBPH in parallel using 24 paired semen, blood, throat swab, and urine samples. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity along with AUC of CBPH was markedly higher than the other 3methods. Although qRT-PCR, OSN-qRT-PCR and cdPCR detected no SARS-CoV-2 RNA in throat swab, blood, urine, and semen samples of the 12 patients, CBPH detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genome fragments in semen samples, but not in paired urine samples, of 3 of 12 patients. The existing SARS-CoV-2 genome fragments were metabolized over time. CONCLUSIONS: Both OSN-qRT-PCR and cdPCR had better performance than qRT-PCR, and CBPH had the highest diagnostic performance in detecting SARS-CoV-2, which contributed the most improvement to the determination of the critical value in gray area samples with low vrial load, which then provides a rational screening strategy for studying the clearance of coronavirus in the semen over time in patients recovering from COVID-19. Although the presence of SARS-CoV-2 fragments in the semen was demonstrated by CBPH, COVID-19 is unlikely to be sexually transmitted from male partners for at least 3 months after hospital discharge.

Pathological findings in semen analysis from COVID-19 survivors and the impact of various SARS-COV-2 vaccines on spermatogenesis

Male reproductive health depends on many factors, including whether infectious diseases occur in the reproductive system. Such changes may be reflected in the semen analysis. In the past three years, the number of individuals who fell ill with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been growing worldwide, including in Russia. This infection causes dysfunction and a negative effect on many organs and systems, including reproductive organs, which is reflected in abnormal semen parameters. Despite the high efficacy and small number of side effects found in clinical trials, only 56% of the population in the US and 49% in the Russian Federation reported wanting the vaccine. One of the reasons for distrust of vaccines is the potential negative impact on fertility. A literature review is devoted to the study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination on male reproductive health. The search was carried out using Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

Effect of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on sperm morphokinetics and DNA integrity: A prospective observational study in Japan

Objective: To assess whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine affects sperm morphokinetics using a computer-assisted semen analyzer and other semen parameters using a sperm chromatin structure assay. Method(s): Healthy male volunteers in two Japanese clinics between May 2021 and December 2021 were prospectively analyzed. Participants donated sperm twice, two days apart, in the following phases: before vaccination, 2 weeks after the first vaccine dose, and 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the second dose. Basic sperm parameters, sperm motility characteristics, and the percentage of DNA-damaged sperm were compared among the different phases. Result(s): Ninety-six semen samples from ten volunteers, who were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, were evaluated. There were no significant differences between any phases in basic semen findings and parameters of the sperm chromatin structure assays. Regarding sperm motion characteristics, the average linear velocity, beat-cross frequency, and sperm motility index significantly decreased after the second vaccine dose (P=0.018, P=0.003, and P=0.027, respectively), with no significant differences between any two phases by post-hoc pairwise comparisons. Conclusion(s): After COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, while sperm motion characteristics might fluctuate, no apparent deterioration of basic sperm parameters or sperm DNA integrity was observed. Given the adverse effects of COVID-19 on sperm, our findings suggest that there might be no reason to refrain from vaccination for healthy individuals.Copyright © 2023 Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction Produced by Wolters Kluwer- Medknow.

Mild Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome presenting in male with infertility and sexual difficulties

Androgen insensitivity syndrome has a wide spectrum of presentations. It results from a mutation in androgen receptor (AR) gene. It ranges from mild androgen insensitivity syndrome (MAIS) which is the mildest form to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). In case of MAIS, the abnormality that can be observed appears to be male infertility and sexual difficulties including premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. In this case report, we discuss a case of MAIS in a 37-year-old male who presented with infertility, premature ejaculation, and secondary erectile dysfunction.Copyright © 2023, Ibn Sina Trust. All rights reserved.

Pathological findings in semen analysis from COVID-19 survivors and the impact of various SARS-COV-2 vaccines on spermatogenesis.

Male reproductive health depends on many factors, including whether infectious diseases occur in the reproductive system. Such changes may be reflected in the semen analysis. In the past three years, the number of individuals who fell ill with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been growing worldwide, including in Russia. This infection causes dysfunction and a negative effect on many organs and systems, including reproductive organs, which is reflected in abnormal semen parameters. Despite the high efficacy and small number of side effects found in clinical trials, only 56% of the population in the US and 49% in the Russian Federation reported wanting the vaccine. One of the reasons for distrust of vaccines is the potential negative impact on fertility. A literature review is devoted to the study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination on male reproductive health. The search was carried out using Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

The Racial and Socioeconomic Characteristics of a Cohort of Men Using at-Home Fertility Tests in the United States

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Infertility is a global health concern that affects couples worldwide. Economic, racial, and geographic disparities in reproductive medicine have long affected access to fertility care. These inequalities further worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic as fertility care services were systematically paused and treatments were delayed. At-home fertility tests emerged as a seemingly convenient, affordable and accessible option for all men seeking initial semen analysis testing and screening. We aim to study the racial and socioeconomic characteristics of a cohort of men utilizing at-home sperm testing kits in the United States over 3 years. METHOD(S): We retrospectively reviewed the records of 5,822 men who requested semen analysis at Give Legacy, Inc. (Legacy) facilities from 2019 to 2021. The demographic characteristics of these men were collected including their age, race/ethnicity, and place of residence. Further, the weighted median household income of Legacy customers was calculated using their personal ZIP codes and corresponding median income data from the U.S. census bureau. RESULT(S): The mean age (SD) of this cohort was 34.9+/-7.3 years. Among these 5,822 men, there were 3,936 (67.6%) normozoospermic men and 1,886 (32.3%) oligozoospermic men. The group consisted of predominantly white men (64.9%) with only 5.2% Black, 5.4% Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% Arab, 2% Native Hawaiian, 2.4% Indian American, and 8.2% other groups. The geographic distribution of participants showed a majority of men from the Northeast (31.6%) and Pacific (23.4%) regions. The median household income of a Legacy customer is $108,858;significantly higher than the U.S. median household income of $70,784 (P<.01). CONCLUSION(S): Despite the fact that at-home, mail-in kits provide a better and more affordable access to initial fertility care, ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic classes are still underrepresented in the population of men seeking fertility testing in this cohort. Further research is needed to understand the racial and socioeconomic drivers of the existing disparities in fertility care.

Early and late implications of COVID-19 on male reproductive health: 3 years of data.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has significantly affected global health. Research has shown that the virus can be found at high concentrations in male gonadal tissue. Yet, the virus's long-term implications on male reproductive health remains relatively unclear. OBJECTIVE: A comprehensive narrative review of published literature regarding COVID-19's short- and long-term implications on male reproductive health. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed for articles ranging from November 2019 to August 2022. Studies that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health were selected for review. Studies were included if they were written in English and reported semen analyses, pathologic gonadal tissue analyses, serum androgen assays, or a combination of these in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, literature was included on COVID-19 vaccinations' impacts on male reproductive health. Case reports and other narrative reviews were excluded from this review. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in cadaveric testicular tissue during the initial stages of infection in fatal cases of the disease, demonstrating marked inflammatory changes and decreased spermatogenesis in patients with COVID-19. Several studies have revealed a negative impact on androgens during acute illness and in the ensuing months, but data on the recovery of androgen levels are confounding and limited in scope. COVID-19 does have significant negative impacts on bulk semen parameters, as confirmed in studies comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 semen samples. Vaccination is a valuable tool for protecting patients from the negative impacts of the virus and has been shown to have no negative impact on male reproductive potential. CONCLUSION: Given the virus's impacts on testicular tissue, androgens, and spermatogenesis, COVID-19 can negatively affect male reproductive health for an extended period. Therefore, vaccinations should continue to be recommended to all eligible patients.

Does Air Pollution Impact on Semen Parameters? Findings from a Real-Life, Cross-Sectional Study in Italian Infertile Men.

PURPOSE: In industrialized countries, air pollutants levels have been monitored closely for environmental and research issues. Using Italian data, we aimed to investigate the association between air pollutants levels and semen parameters in a cohort of non-Finnish white-European men presenting for couple's infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Complete demographic and laboratory data from 1,152 infertile men consecutively assessed between January 2015 and January 2018 were analyzed. Semen analyses were based on the 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). We analyzed the annual average level of the three main markers of air pollution (Pm10, Pm2.5, and NO2) between 2014 and 2018. Descriptive statistics, linear and logistic regression analyses tested the association between air pollutants levels and semen parameters. RESULTS: Of 1,152 men, 87 (7.55%) had normal sperm parameters at first semen analysis. Of 1,065 patients with abnormal semen analyses, 237 (22.25%), 324 (30.42%), and 287 (26.95%) patients presented 1, 2 or 3 abnormalities, respectively, and 217 (20.38%) were azoospermic. At linear regression analysis, Pm10, Pm2.5, and NO2 were negatively associated with sperm morphology (Pm10: ß=-0.5288 µg/m3, p=0.001; Pm2.5: ß=-0.5240 µg/m3, p=0.019; NO2: ß=-0.4396 µg/m3, p<0.0001). Furthermore, the adjusted odds of normal sperm morphology <4% were 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.09; p=0.007) for Pm10, 1.07 (95% CI, 1.03-1.11; p=0.007) for Pm 2.5, and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.05; p=0.001) for NO2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a large homogenous cohort of infertile men, Pm10, Pm 2.5, and NO2 levels were negatively associated with sperm morphology. Conversely, no clear association was observed with other macroscopic sperm parameters.

Comparison of sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation index between infertile men with infection and vaccines of COVID-19.

Several preventive measures, including vaccination, have been implemented owing to the severe global effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there is still limited evidence in the effect of this disease and vaccination against it on male fertility. Therefore, this study is to compare sperm parameters of infertile patients with or without COVID-19 infection and the effect of COVID-19 vaccine types on them. Semen samples of infertile patients were collected consecutively at Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (Jakarta, Indonesia). COVID-19 was diagnosed by rapid antigen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Vaccination was performed with three types of vaccine, namely inactivated viral vaccine, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, and viral vector vaccine. Spermatozoa were then analyzed on the World Health Organization recommendations, and DNA fragmentation was assayed with the sperm chromatin dispersion kit. The results showed that the COVID-19 group experienced a significant decrease in sperm concentration and progressive motility (both P < 0.05), but there was no significant change in morphology or sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI; both P > 0.05). The viral vector vaccine caused a decrease in morphology as well as an increase in DFI compared with the control (both P < 0.05), meanwhile results for those who were vaccinated with the inactivated and mRNA types were not significant compared with the control (both P > 0.05). We conclude that COVID-19 has negative effects on sperm parametes and sperm DNA fragmentation, and we found that the viral vector vaccines affect sperm parameter values and DNA fragmentation negatively. Further studies with a larger population and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the results.

Effect of COVID-19 on sperm parameters: pathologic alterations and underlying mechanisms.

The rapid outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought challenges to different medical fields, especially reproductive health. To date, most studies on the effects of COVID-19 on male reproduction have some limitations. In addition, there is little research on the mechanisms underlying by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection affects semen quality. Here, we revealed the possible impact of COVID-19 on sperm parameters and the potential mechanisms. At present, it is still controversial whether COVID-19-induced fever adversely affects sperm parameters. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can induce up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine, which leads to the destruction of blood-testis barrier and impairment of spermatogenesis. Moreover, severe viral infection of the respiratory system could induce systemic oxidative stress. Sperm are highly vulnerable to it due to their limited levels of antioxidant defense, unsophisticated DNA damage detection and repair mechanisms. Our review prompt medical staff and patients to consciously check the reproductive function of COVID-19 male patients. Moreover, opening our prospective beyond the direct infection could be the key to better understand the COVID-19 short and long-term effects and provide a new idea for future treatment of patients with reproductive function injury.

Sperm concentrations do not correlate with semen parameters and hormone profiles in males recovered from COVID-19.

Background: Although the negative impact on fertility of men recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been suggested, there is insufficient evidence, and the data are limited and contradictory. The present prospective study aimed to evaluate the sex-related hormones, semen parameters, erectile dysfunction (ED), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a cohort of men who recovered from COVID-19 and age-matched control men. Methods: Semen samples were collected from twenty-two men recovered from COVID-19 with a median time of 91.5 days and thirty-six control males. The semen parameters were evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual to examine and process human semen. The blood samples were collected to assess the male hormone profile. ED and LUTS were evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), respectively. Results: The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (3.819±1.515 IU/L), luteinizing hormone (LH) (4.023±1.792 IU/L), prolactin (PRL) [12.60 (10.72-15.20) ng/mL], and testosterone (T) [4.345 (3.565-5.525) ng/mL] levels were at normal range in all males enrolled in the study. Levels of semen volume (control: 2.5 mL vs. COVID-19: 1.9 mL; P<0.05) and sperm concentration (control: 59×106/mL vs. COVID-19: 41.5×106/mL; P<0.005) were significantly lower in males recovered from COVID-19, but still technically well within normal regardless of WHO edition. All variables were examined through logistic regression analysis, demonstrating that only sperm concentration was an independent variable associated with men recovered from COVID-19 [odds ratio (OR) =1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.999-1.098; P=0.016]. According to correlation analysis, there was no correlation between sperm concentration and other semen parameters and sex-related hormone profiles. Furthermore, an absence of ED and LUTS in men who recovered from COVID-19 was evidenced using the IIEF-5 and IPSS, respectively. Conclusions: Reproductive-age males recovered from COVID-19 have normal sperm concentration. Sperm concentration did not correlate with other semen parameters, sex-related hormones, IIEF-5, and IPSS. Further studies should be performed to evaluate whether the lower sperm concentration and semen volume that were still within the normal range are a transient or prolonged downregulation resulting from the COVID-19 attack.

Amelioration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss through Regulation of Trpv1, Cacna1h, and Ngf Gene Expression by a Combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common condition that results from the loss of function of hair cells, which are responsible for converting sound into electrical signals within the cochlea and auditory nerve. Despite the prevalence of SNHL, a universally effective treatment has yet to be approved. To address this absence, the present study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of TS, a combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. To this end, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the efficacy of TS with respect to SNHL. The results showed that TS was able to protect against ototoxic neomycin-induced damage in both HEI-OC1 cells and otic hair cells in zebrafish. Furthermore, in images obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an increase in the number of kinocilia, which was prompted by the TS treatment, was observed in the zebrafish larvae. In a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) mouse model, TS improved hearing thresholds as determined by the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Additionally, TS was found to regulate several genes related to hearing loss, including Trpv1, Cacna1h, and Ngf, as determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that TS holds promise as a potential treatment for sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and evaluate the safety and efficacy of TS in a clinical setting.

Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I2 = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I2 = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I2 = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I2 = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I2 = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Seminal Fluid and its Impact on Male Fertility: A Systematic Review

Background: As there is an increase of infections in the male population, concerns have emerged about the potential impact of COVID-19 on male fertility. This study aimed to investigate systematically the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the semen and determine the contagiousness of sperm and its influence on male fertility after COVID-19 infection. Method(s): Electronic searches were performed in PubMed/ MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science up to December 2021 regarding the existence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in seminal fluid, testis, and the effects of COVID-19 on male reproduction. A total of 24 original articles were included in the study. Result(s): The presence of a virus in a semen sample is still a topic of discussion and research due to the small number of studies. Only two studies identified viral mRNA in the semen of infected men;others stated semen is not infectious with SARS-CoV-2 at one week or more after COVID-19 infection. However, couples with a desire for pregnancy should be warned that sperm quality after COVID-19 infection can be suboptimal. According to the existing clinical data, this virus could infect the testis and the male genital tract and cause damage to male fertility. It shows a negative impact on male reproductive health, inducing spermatogenic failure. However, the mechanism for testicular involvement remains doubtful. Conclusion(s): SARS-CoV-2 RNA was undetectable in all semen samples, but it may cause testicular involvement and impact the male reproductive system inducing spermatogenic failure.