https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2021.1.48

Effects of COVID-19 on male sex function and its potential sexual transmission

Vol. 93 No. 1 (2021)
Submitted: August 22, 2020
Accepted: October 5, 2020
Published: March 18, 2021
COVID-19, Andrology, Fertility, Testis, Semen, Human
Abstract Views: 2441
PDF: 1183
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Authors

Héctor Rodriguez Bustos
hector3@uchile.cl
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7822-2867
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Gonzalo Bravo Maturana
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7244-0748
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Felipe Cortés-Chau
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0627-2416
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Joelle Defaur Torres
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7731-5922
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Felipe Cortés-Pino
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2317-1868
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Pablo Aguirre
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4350-2118
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Camilo Arriaza Onel
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7232-4106
Laboratorio de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on January 8, 2020 and was declared as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 uses the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as an entry route, associated with the transmembrane serine protease protein (TMPRSS2), which makes the testis and particularly spermatogenesis potentially vulnerable, since this tissue has high expression of ACE2.
Material and methods: We performed a systematic literature review by electronic bibliographic databases in Pubmed, Scopus and ScienceDirect up to August 2020 about the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on male sexual function and its transmission, to assess possible repercussions on sex organs and the existence of a sexual transmission path.
Results: Although SARS-CoV-2 presence has not been found in testicle samples, it has been demonstrated that it causes histological changes compatible with orchitis, and sex hormone disturbances. TMPRSS2 is up-regulated in prostate cancer where it supports tumor progression, thus these patients may have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. TMPRSS2 inhibitors may be useful for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. No viral material has been found in blood or semen, however it has been proven to be present in stool and saliva.
Conclusion: The male reproductive system would be highly vulnerable and susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 given the expression of the ACE2 receptor in somatic and germ cells. The seminal fluid would remain free of viral presence in patients with COVID-19. Regardless, non-genital sex could be an important source of viral transmission. In assisted reproduction techniques all necessary tests must be carried out to ensure the donor is free of the virus at the time of collection and handling of the seminal sample.

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How to Cite

Rodriguez Bustos, H. ., Bravo Maturana, G., Cortés-Chau, F., Defaur Torres, J., Cortés-Pino, F., Aguirre , P., & Arriaza Onel, C. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 on male sex function and its potential sexual transmission. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 93(1), 48–52. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2021.1.48

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