Seminal fluid changes in the COVID-19 era: During infection and Post-vaccination

1 Introduction

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by an extremely contagious virus that spreads quickly into the upper respiratory tract, which is the primary way of spreading. COVID-19's most common symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, and headache. The disease characteristics differ by patients' age, ethnic group, geographical area, and disease waves.^1–3 The viral transmission to extrapulmonary organs is proposed to be systemic; many body fluids show a positive existence of the virus.^4–6

The binding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via Spike protein (protein S) to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors will facilitate its entry and replication in the cell. The ACE2 appears to be a vital functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2; it accelerates viral fusion to the cell membrane; however, they are not biochemically required for viral fusion.^4–7

Cells that show a high level of ACE-2 expression might be directly targeted and damaged by the virus, like testicular tissues, a high-risk organ for viral infection. Spermatogonia, seminiferous duct cells, Sertoli, and Leydig cells are all targeted by SARS-CoV-2; consequently, the infection renders spermatogenesis. Noticeably, the expression of ACE-2 by the testis is age dependent. Males in their thirties had higher ACE-2 expression than males in their sixties.^6,8

Xu et al. study declared that orchitis is one of the SARS-2002 pandemic complications. Testicular tissue destruction was detected in a postmortem study and was proposed to be mediated by the immune response. Targeting the testis during viral infection is not new; other viruses like the human immunodeficiency virus, the hepatitis-B virus, and the mumps reportedly cause viral orchitis, infertility, and even testicular tumors.⁹

Controversy surrounds the potential impact of COVID-19 on reproductive health, particularly in males. The propensity of the virus to attach to the ACE2 receptor on Leydig cells after crossing the blood-testis barrier was a proposed theory. Others discussed spermatogenesis impairment. Important co-factors, like mental health and unrest caused by the pandemic, should also be taken into account.^7,10,11

Vaccination is the most efficient way of preventing and managing infectious illnesses. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was the WHO's first vaccination authorized for emergency use in late 2020. Other vaccines were developed subsequently. Fear and uncertainty about how vaccines affect health, especially male fertility, has been named as reasons for vaccine hesitancy.¹²

The most popular SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are made using one of the following methods.

• (a) Whole virus vaccine including inactivated or killed viruses like (ex. Sinovac's CoronaVac).And viral vector-based vaccines (ex. Astra Zeneca, Janssen/Johnson, and Johnson vaccine). These vaccines use a harmless non-replicating variant of adenovirus as a vehicle to transmit the genetic coding of the S glycoprotein antigens, inducing a targeted immune reaction. A higher incidence of systemic side effects was reported.¹³

• (b) The genetic material vaccine; mRNA-based vaccines, like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. These vaccines give the genetic information needed to make the spike (S) glycoprotein antigen but not the antigens themselves; they have more local side effects.¹⁴

• (c) The subunit approaches where very specific parts or subunits of the SARS-CoV2 virus are used to trigger the immune system (ex. Novavax). See Table 1 for more details.

Several researchers have investigated the potential effects of COVID-19 on male fertility, hormone indicators, and sperm parameters, whether as a result of infection or vaccination. Few, however, had addressed which factor had the greatest impact on seminal fluid analysis (SFA).

This paper aims to increase our insight into how SFA changes during infection and after vaccination, especially after global vaccination campaigns, and to examine which significantly impacts SFA and its parameters.^15–17 See Fig. 1.

2 Semen production

The hypothalamus produces the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, which causes the pituitary gland to secrete a follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Testosterone is produced by Leydig cells under the influence of LH. In contrast, the androgen binding protein (ABP) is secreted by Sertoli cells under the effect of FSH. ABP will concentrate testosterone to promote spermatogenesis. Testosterone will orchestrate different maturations of spermatogonia, aided by Sertoli cells. Maintaining the gap junction with other Sertoli cells to form the blood-testis barrier (BTB) represents the utmost function of Sertoli cells.¹⁸ Thus, it maintains the immunologically privileged environment in the testis, adding to its local anti-inflammatory action. The primordial sperm cells at the base of the Sertoli cell are more susceptible to external immune damage since they lack a blood-testis barrier. The finalization of sperm maturation occurs in the epididymis. Other seminal fluid contents, including seminal vesical and prostate secretion, will occur in the vas deferens.¹⁹

3 Seminal fluid changes during the infection

The first report of changed SFA in response to COVID-19 was made by Holtmann et al.²⁰; they reported a statistically significant reduction of sperm concentrations and sperm counts, in addition to a reduced number of progressively motile sperm in comparison to healthy controls. This novel finding suggests that the virus causes short-term depression of spermatogenesis in patients with moderate symptoms. The authors excluded cases with fever to clarify the negative impact of fibril illness on the SFA; interestingly, only the total sperm motility remained meaningful. The rest of the parameters showed an insignificant reduction in response to the infection; see Table 2.

Enikeev et al.²¹ examined SFA for seropositive males during the acute infection and 12 weeks later, revealing a similar finding to Holtmann's results. The changes in SFA seen were transient, and they returned to normal levels three months later. Enikeev reported significantly higher IgA by direct mixed agglutination reaction at the time of the second sampling, which supports the role of an inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in testicular injury. Twenty of the 44 patients they enrolled died as a result of the illness; autopsies revealed inflammatory reactions and viral invasion of the testis. Guo et al.²² examined the semen of a recovered patient in two settings over a time frame of 84 days. The first sampling showed a similar result to Holtmann and Enikeev's. The second sampling showed a significant increase in the parameters mentioned above. They confirmed that SFA changes were transient and that one spermatogenic cycle was likely enough to resolve them.

At the time of first sampling, the SARS-CoV-2 virus may not be the only cause for the temporary changes in sperm parameters. The emotional and mental stress of COVID-19 is inversely linked with spermatogenesis. Other possible causes; include febrile illness, medication, therapy, or the severity of COVID-19.^23,24 Li et al. discovered decreased sperm concentrations and oligo-azoospermia in males who already had children, confirming their fertility prior to infection.²⁴ Segars et al.'s findings were consistent, as they reported reduced sperm concentrations and motility 71–90 days after infection.²⁵

4 Causes for deterioration of SFA parameters in COVID-19 cases

Many hypotheses were suggested to explain SFA changes; see Fig. 2. SARS-CoV2 is not the only virus that targets the testis; human papillomavirus, the influenza virus, the Zika virus, and the Epstein-Barr virus are all known to cause viral orchitis.¹¹ It is still not clear if orchitis is caused by inflammation or an immune response, but the immune response is most likely to be the cause. The exaggerated inflammatory response initiated by the infection and cytokine storm will reduce the blood supply to the blood-testis barrier, resulting in orchitis-like syndrome, which is the most acceptable theory.²⁶

The inflammatory cells and locally released cytokines by Leydig and Sertoli cells will generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage sperm DNA, causing cell death and impairing SFA parameters.²⁷ In a recently published paper, the authors confirm that only Leydig cells and not Sertoli cells are infected, which is further validated by postmortem specimens showing significant seminiferous tubular damage and decreased levels of Leydig cells.²⁸ Inflammation, COVID-19, and stress affect the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The reduced testosterone production will impair spermatogenesis, and the beneficial immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions will be lost.²⁹ SARS-CoV2 is a thrombogenic virus; vasculitis is another possible factor for testicular damage triggered by segmental vasculitis. Vasculitis-caused orchitis is another proposed theory for COVID-19.³⁰ IgG was found in the seminiferous tubule by an immunohistochemistry study on samples from deceased COVID-19 patients.³¹ Being a fibril illness is another important cause that triggers gonadal cell apoptosis.³² Some of the therapies used in the management were also blamed; specific antivirals and using hydroxychloroquine were reasons for reduced SFA parameters.^17,22

5 Does seminal fluid carry the COVID-19 virus?

The evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 presence in semen was conflicting; Li et al., Machado et al., and Gacci et al. identified SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of confirmed and recovered cases. The sample size in the studies was small.^33–35

Luddi et al. show that viral replication in male gametes happens in more than one step and that viral particles can be separated at the middle of the sperm tail.²⁸

Conversely, Ma et al., Kteily et al., and Holtmann et al.^20,36,37 denied the presence of viruses in semen samples. Because of the modest number of positive samples tested and the lack of viral RNA in semen, this research shows that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sperm is an uncommon finding.

A breach in the blood-testis-different barriers can explain the viral presence in the SFA, which allows the virus to seed to the male reproductive tract during systemic inflammation. Even though the virus is incapable of replication in the reproductive system, it persists in the testis due to the testis' unique immunity.³³

Given the lack of evidence of viral transmission by blood or sexual activity, scientists deny the benefit of washing sperm, which is routinely done in human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B virus-positive males to protect uninfected females and cross-contaminated reproductive tissues.²⁰ There are currently no recommendations or guidelines for screening oocyte or sperm donors for SARS-CoV-2. More research needs to be done to make sure that both preserved gametes and couples who use assisted reproduction are safe.

6 Vaccines and SFA

A vaccine is a combination of biological materials that gives active protection against a particular infectious pathogen by inducing an immune reaction to an antigen (a molecule of the pathogen). Vaccination is the most effective long-term technique for preventing and controlling infectious diseases.^12,13 Local adverse effects were more prevalent with mRNA-based vaccinations, especially among women and younger people, compared to viral vector-based vaccines, which showed more systemic side effects.^14,38

Unsubstantiated media reports suggest a possible link between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and male infertility, resulting in immunization reluctance. In addition, previous research examined the influence of the infection on SFA parameters and how it led to impaired spermatogenesis. The most widely accepted etiology was autoimmune orchitis, discovered in postmortem specimens.^39–41

Theoretically, a parallel consequence may be observed after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which may induce a similar immune reaction. Some authors proposed that the systemic immune response that follows vaccination may be the underlying mechanism, and the overall prognosis is good. Concerns were raised regarding the coronavirus vaccination's potential effect on male fertility.¹⁶ Many works were carried out in the field (see Table 3), and SFA changes were monitored up to 145 days.

Most of the changes seen included sperm motility and concentration; however, those were within the normal range of WHO guidelines for SFA. Furthermore, the changes triggered following the complete vaccine schedule were transient, and all parameters returned to normal in both normal fertile and sub-fertile males. The safety of the vaccine was reinforced; however, no current guidelines exist for screening sperm in couples undergoing assisted reproduction, which warrants more research.

7 Conclusion and future perspective

Hundreds of tests were swiftly produced, created, and certified for COVID-19 diagnostic assays. Using Artificial intelligent -based techniques and Deep Learning experts' active collaboration with healthcare experts would ideally allow more accurate and sensitive ways for earlier diagnosis and severity evaluation. Newer approaches have the advantage of the ease in modification and sensitivity to tiny antigens.^42,43

The SFA changes that follow the COVID-19 infection and vaccine are reversible. Vaccines are safe and do not impact male fertility, even in subfertile cases.

There are still uncertainties regarding the effect of the infection on preserved gametes, the effect of seminal fluid mediators, and immune parameters relevant to viruses—all these warrant further work.

Author's contribution

WN conceived, designed the study, and drafted the manuscript, DAS analyzed data; both authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

All authors consent for publication.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.