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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection by Intranasal or Intratesticular Route Induces Testicular Damage.
Li, Can; Ye, Zhanhong; Zhang, Anna Jin Xia; Chan, Jasper Fuk Woo; Song, Wenchen; Liu, Feifei; Chen, Yanxia; Kwan, Mike Yat Wah; Lee, Andrew Chak Yiu; Zhao, Yan; Wong, Bosco Ho Yin; Yip, Cyril Chik Yan; Cai, Jian Piao; Lung, David Christopher; Sridhar, Siddharth; Jin, Dongyan; Chu, Hin; To, Kelvin Kai Wang; Yuen, Kwok Yung.
  • Li C; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Ye Z; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Zhang AJX; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Chan JFW; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Song W; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Liu F; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
  • Chen Y; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Kwan MYW; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Lee ACY; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
  • Zhao Y; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Wong BHY; Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, and Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Yip CCY; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China.
  • Cai JP; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Lung DC; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Sridhar S; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Jin D; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Chu H; Department of Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • To KKW; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
  • Yuen KY; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Clin Infect Dis ; 75(1): e974-e990, 2022 Aug 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1886373
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The role of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the pathogenesis of testicular damage is uncertain.

METHODS:

We investigated the virological, pathological, and immunological changes in testes of hamsters challenged by wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and its variants with intranasal or direct testicular inoculation using influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09 as control.

RESULTS:

Besides self-limiting respiratory tract infection, intranasal SARS-CoV-2 challenge caused acute decrease in sperm count, serum testosterone and inhibin B at 4-7 days after infection; and chronic reduction in testicular size and weight, and serum sex hormone at 42-120 days after infection. Acute histopathological damage with worsening degree of testicular inflammation, hemorrhage, necrosis, degeneration of seminiferous tubules, and disruption of orderly spermatogenesis were seen with increasing virus inoculum. Degeneration and death of Sertoli and Leydig cells were found. Although viral loads and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein expression were markedly lower in testicular than in lung tissues, direct intratesticular injection of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated nucleocapsid expressing interstitial cells and epididymal epithelial cells, While intranasal or intratesticular challenge by A(H1N1)pdm09 control showed no testicular infection or damage. From 7 to 120 days after infection, degeneration and apoptosis of seminiferous tubules, immune complex deposition, and depletion of spermatogenic cell and spermatozoa persisted. Intranasal challenge with Omicron and Delta variants could also induce similar testicular changes. This testicular damage can be prevented by vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS:

SARS-CoV-2 can cause acute testicular damage with subsequent chronic asymmetric testicular atrophy and associated hormonal changes despite a self-limiting pneumonia in hamsters. Awareness of possible hypogonadism and subfertility is important in managing convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 in men.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / COVID-19 Topics: Vaccines / Variants Limits: Animals / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / COVID-19 Topics: Vaccines / Variants Limits: Animals / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid