Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen-a cohort study.
Holtmann, Nora; Edimiris, Philippos; Andree, Marcel; Doehmen, Cornelius; Baston-Buest, Dunja; Adams, Ortwin; Kruessel, Jan-Steffen; Bielfeld, Alexandra Petra.
  • Holtmann N; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Edimiris P; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Andree M; Institute of Virology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Doehmen C; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Baston-Buest D; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany. Electronic address: baston-buest@unikid.de.
  • Adams O; Institute of Virology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Kruessel JS; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
  • Bielfeld AP; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Duesseldorf, Germany.
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.
Subject(s)
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

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


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