Metabolic, Oxidative and Psychological Stress as Mediators of the Effect of COVID-19 on Male Infertility: A Literature Review

Gesthimani Mintziori, Leonidas H. Duntas, Stavroula Veneti and Dimitrios G. Goulis
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Gesthimani Mintziori: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou Gneral Hospital, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Leonidas H. Duntas: Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Thyroid Section, Evgenideion Hospital, University of Athens, 20 Papadiamantopoulou Str., 11528 Athens, Greece
Stavroula Veneti: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou Gneral Hospital, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Dimitrios G. Goulis: Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou Gneral Hospital, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: Over 300 million patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported worldwide since the outbreak of the pandemic in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 is induced by the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the male reproductive system is unclear. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility and the impact of possible mediators, such as metabolic, oxidative and psychological stress. SARS-CoV-2 infection aggravates metabolic stress and directly or indirectly affects male fertility by reducing seminal health. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased psychological distress. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces male fertility, possibly by means of metabolic, oxidative and psychological stress. Therefore, among other consequences, the possibility of COVID-19-induced male infertility should not be neglected.

Keywords: COVID-19; male infertility; metabolic stress; oxidative stress; psychological stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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