Scientific evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may negatively affect the male reproductive system.
Purpose. This study aimed to examine the main indicators of semen parameters in men who had recovered from COVID-19.
Methods. The study included male patients who had recovered from COVID-19. Between February 2020 and September 2021, semen analysis was conducted on 48 men. Among them, 26 had a confirmed history of COVID-19, verified through laboratory testing (IgG antibodies). Key spermogram indicators were assessed, including ejaculate volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, percentage of abnormal forms, semen pH, and leukocyte concentration.
Results. The spermogram indicators in patients who recovered from COVID-19 differed significantly from those in men without a history of the infection. The ejaculate volume was reduced by half, and the total sperm count was 3.6 times lower. Sperm concentration decreased by nearly twofold. An increase in semen pH was observed, and the percentage of abnormal sperm forms was twice as high.
Conclusion. Men with a history of COVID-19 and elevated SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels showed significant quantitative and qualitative alterations in semen parameters. These findings suggest that COVID-19 can impair male reproductive function and may contribute to the ongoing global decline in male fertility. This, in turn, could potentially lead to a reduction in birth rates in affected regions.
Keywords. COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, male fertility, male reproductive system