It is currently unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 is viable in semen or whether COVID-19 damages spermatozoa

Melissa J Perry; Suzanne Arrington; Laura M Neumann; Douglas Carrell; Christopher N Mores

doi:10.1111/andr.12831

It is currently unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 is viable in semen or whether COVID-19 damages spermatozoa

Andrology. 2021 Jan;9(1):30-32. doi: 10.1111/andr.12831. Epub 2020 Jun 14.

Authors

Melissa J Perry¹, Suzanne Arrington¹, Laura M Neumann¹, Douglas Carrell², Christopher N Mores³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
² The Andrology Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Andrology/Urology), Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
³ Department of Global Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.

Abstract

Research is needed to understand the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in semen, sexual transmissibility, and impact on sperm quality. Several studies have examined men recovering from COVID-19, but large-scale community-based testing is needed to ascertain the effects on the male reproductive tract, and the potential for prolonged transmission.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; assisted reproductive technology; coronavirus; semen; sexual transmission; spermatozoa.

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19 / diagnosis
COVID-19 / transmission
COVID-19 / virology*
COVID-19 Testing
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Male
SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity*
Semen / virology*
Semen Analysis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / diagnosis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / transmission
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / virology*
Spermatozoa / pathology
Spermatozoa / virology*
Virulence