Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen-a cohort study.
Fertil Steril
; 114(2): 233-238, 2020 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-436473
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the presence of viral RNA in human semen of patients with severe acute-respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to evaluate its presence and relevance in semen parameters.DESIGN:
Pilot cohort study.SETTING:
University hospital. PATIENT(S) Thirty-four men were distributed as 1) patients in convalescence (patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pharyngeal swab according to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] or antibodies); 2) negative control group (no antibodies); and 3) patients with an acute infection (detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pharyngeal swab). INTERVENTION Semen and a blood sample were collected from each individual. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Analysis of semen quality according to the World Health Organization standards. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR in the native semen sample and after density gradient preparation. Confirmation of immunoglobulin (Ig) A und IgG antibodies in the blood. RESULT(S) Eighteen semen samples from recovered men were obtained 8-54 days after absence of symptoms, 14 from control subjects, and 2 from patients with an active COVID-19 infection. No RNA was detected by means of RT-PCR in the semen, including semen samples from two patients with an acute COVID-19 infection. Subjects with a moderate infection showed an impairment of sperm quality. CONCLUSION(S) A mild COVID-19 infection is not likely to affect testis and epididymis function, whereas semen parameters did seem impaired after a moderate infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA could not be detected in semen of recovered and acute COVID-19-positive men. This suggests no viral transmission during sexual contact and assisted reproductive techniques, although further data need to be obtained.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Semen
/
RNA, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Language:
English
Journal:
Fertil Steril
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.fertnstert.2020.05.028
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