Gam-covid-vac (Sputnik v) vaccine has no adverse effect on spermatogenesis in men

Drapkina, Y.; Dolgushina, N. V.; Shatylko, T. V.; Nikolaeva, M. A.; Menzhinskaya, I. V.; Ivanets, T.; Krechetova, L. V.; Kranyi, A. M.; Gamidov, S. I.; Bairamova, G. R.; Sukhikh, G. T.

Relevance. During the pandemic and large-scale vaccination against COVID-19, studies of the effect of various types of vaccines on human reproductive function have become particularly important. Vaccination may have a negative impact on the reproductive organs and tissues due to the development of an autoimmune process involving the gonads. Currently, there are some studies on the effect of vaccination against coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV2 on the male and female reproductive function. The absence of a negative effect of vaccination on spermatogenesis in men has already been demonstrated in the results of three studies. Objective. To evaluate the effect of the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine on spermatogenesis and the level of antiphospholipid antibodies in men. Materials and methods. The prospective study included 45 men who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V). The criteria for inclusion in the study were the age from 18 to 55 years, the absence of a previous history of COVID-19, a negative RT-PCR result in SARS-CoV-2 testing, negative SARS-CoV-2 IgG results prior to vaccination, and the absence of severe somatic diseases. The patients were examined twice: immediately before vaccination and 90 days after the first dose was injected. We evaluated spermogram parameters, determined the levels of FSH, LH, TSH and total testosterone, and analyzed blood for IgM and IgG antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) to cardiolipin (aCL), β2-glycoprotein-1 (aß2-GP1), annexin V (aAnV), phosphatidylserine (aPS), as well as IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using enzyme immunoassay. Results. There were no significant changes in the parameters of spermogram and hormone levels before and after vaccination;men with moderate impairment of spermatogenesis (oligoasteno-and/or teratozoospermia) did not show considerable changes either. The level of aPL after vaccination did not increase compared to the baseline level. Besides, there was no correlation between the dynamics of the level of antisperm antibodies, aPL and spermogram parameters. These findings indirectly indicate that there are no changes in the reproductive function associated with this autoimmune factor after vaccination in men. Conclusion. This is one of the first studies that has revealed the effect of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine on spermatogenesis, hormonal profile and aPL level in men. The obtained results demonstrate that the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine does not have a negative effect on the reproductive function in men.