P115: SARS‐CoV‐2 and male reproduction: Relationship, explanations and clinical remedies

Problem: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been an ongoing pandemic and worldwide public health emergency, having drawn a lot of attention around the world. There is concern about whether COVID-19 is closely related to male reproduction. Method of Study: In this review, we investigated the viral, biological, and clinical data of male reproductive dysfunction associated with the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its possible immunological explanations and clinical remedies. Result(s): The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is characterized by infecting ACE-2-expressing cells, including testis-specific cells, namely Leydig, Sertoli, and spermatogenic cells, which are closely related to male reproduction. This leads to aberrant hyperactivation of the immune system generating damage to the infected organs. An impairment in testicular function through uncontrolled immune responses alert more attention to male infertility. Meanwhile, the recent clinical data indicate that the infection of human testis with SARS-CoV-2 may impair male germ cell development, lead to germ cell loss and higher immune cells infiltration. Conclusion(s): Conclusively, the issue of SARS-CoV-2 likely infecting human testis, especially the patients with severe COVID-19, cannot be ignored, and the germ cells loss in the patients with COVID-19 should raise alarming attention to the potential impairment of the reproductive function of the patients, especially the reproductive-aged men.