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

ABSTRACT

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