ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection on male fertility and sexual function. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were investigated over a mean follow-up of 90 days (22-527) after a COVID-19 infection. Erectile dysfunction (ED), blood tests for sexual hormones, semen analysis including analysis of oxidative stress (OS), as well as COVID-19 antibody titer and the nasal COVID-19 PCR test were evaluated pre- and post-infection. RESULTS: Five patients reported a mild de novo ED (16.13%). One patient had a de novo positive mixed antiglobulin reaction test after the infection. We found no significant difference between pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 spermiogram parameters (p = 0.815). OS showed no significant association with COVID-19 infection, but with pathological spermiogram categories, sperm concentration, total sperm count, testis volume, FSH and testosterone. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection does not appear to affect sperm quality and OS negatively in the intermediate term. Further investigations will be needed to assess the potential long-term effects of the infection and vaccination on male sexual function and fertility.
ABSTRACT
Background: This study investigates endocrine and exocrine testicular function, oxidative stress (OS) in semen, and erectile function in patients who underwent surgery for suspected testicular torsion (TT). Methods: We evaluated 49 patients over a mean follow-up of 101 months: n = 25 patients treated with surgical exploration, n = 20 patients treated with detorsion, and n = 4 treated with orchiectomy. We performed semen analysis including Male infertility Oxidative System (MyOxSIS) analysis, physical examination, and evaluation of endocrine and erectile function. Results: OS, erectile function and spermiogram categories did not differ significantly between the groups. The interval from the onset of symptoms to surgery differed significantly between groups (p < 0.001). Preservation of the testes was associated with a higher round cell count (p = 0.002) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, p = 0.003). OS showed a significant positive correlation with the spermiogram category (0.337; p = 0.022). A negative correlation was observed between OS and age (p = 0.033), sperm concentration (p < 0.001) and total sperm count (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Endocrine, exocrine and erectile function are not significantly affected by TT in the long term. Orchiectomy results in elevated FSH and a lower round cell count compared to preservation of the testis.
