Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on semen parameters

摘要

Dear editor,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2),the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,has been associated with hypogonadism in patients with acute infection[1].Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)receptor is regarded as the viral binding site that facilitates entry into host cells[2].Therefore,cells that express ACE2,such as spermatogonia,Leydig,and Sertoli cells,may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection[2].Testicular damage may possibly be caused directly by viral invasion or secondary to the generalized inflammatory response to COVID-19[3].Studies have demonstrated that viral shedding in the semen can take place during the recovery phase,even though SARS-CoV-2 is not present in the semen of all men with COVID-19[1,4].Herein,we describe the first case report of a male with longitudinal follow-up who experienced reversible cryptozoospermia after COVID-19.