Impaired spermatogenesis in COVID-19 patients

被引：206

作者：

Li, Honggang ^{[1
,2
]}

Xiao, Xingyuan ^{[3
]}

Zhang, Jie ^{[4
]}

Zafar, Mohammad Ishraq ^{[1
]}

Wu, Chunlin ^{[5
]}

Long, Yuting ^{[2
]}

Lu, Wei ^{[6
]}

Pan, Feng ^{[3
]}

Meng, Tianqing ^{[2
]}

Zhao, Kai ^{[1
]}

Zhou, Liquan ^{[1
]}

Shen, Shiliang ^{[6
]}

Liu, Liang ^{[4
]}

Liu, Qian ^{[4
]}

Xiong, Chengliang ^{[1
,2
]}

机构：

[1] Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Tongji Med Coll, Ctr Reprod Med, Inst Reprod Hlth, Hangkong Rd 13, Wuhan 430030, Peoples R China

[2] Wuhan Tongji Reprod Med Hosp, Sanyang Rd 128, Wuhan 430013, Peoples R China

[3] Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Tongji Med Coll, Union Hosp, Dept Urol, Jiefang Ave 1277, Wuhan 430022, Peoples R China

[4] Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Tongji Med Coll, Dept Forens Med, Hangkong Rd 13, Wuhan 430030, Peoples R China

[5] 1 Hosp Wuhan, Dept Obstet & Gynaecol, Zhongshan Ave 215, Wuhan 430022, Peoples R China

[6] Kindstar Global, Dept Pathol, Gaoxin Ave 666, Wuhan 430075, Peoples R China

来源：

ECLINICALMEDICINE | 2020年 / 28卷

基金：

中国国家自然科学基金;

关键词：

Autoimmune orchitis; Covid-19; Male infertility; Oligospermia; Spermatogenesis; VIRUS; PATHOGENESIS; CYTOKINES; ORCHITIS; SEMEN; RNA;

D O I：

10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100604

中图分类号：

R5 [内科学];

学科分类号：

1002 ; 100201 ;

摘要：

Background: The current study aimed to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility. Methods: This is a single-center, hospital-based observational study that included autopsied testicular and epididymal specimens of deceased COVID-19 male patients (n=6) and recruited recovering COVID-19 inpatients (n=23) with an equal number of age-matched controls, respectively. We performed histopathological examinations on testicular and epididymal specimens, and also performed TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry. Whereas, we investigated the semen specimen for sperm parameters and immune factors. Findings: Autopsied testicular and epididymal specimens of COVID-19 showed the presence of interstitial edema, congestion, red blood cell exudation in testes, and epididymides. Thinning of seminiferous tubules was observed. The number of apoptotic cells within seminiferous tubules was significantly higher in COVID-19 compared to control cases. It also showed an increased concentration of CD3+ and CD68+ in the interstitial cells of testicular tissue and the presence of IgG within seminiferous tubules. Semen from COVID-19 inpatients showed that 39.1% (n=9) of them have oligozoospermia, and 60.9% (n=14) showed a significant increase in leucocytes in semen. Decreased sperm concentration, and increased seminal levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and MCP-1 compared to control males were observed. Interpretation: Impairment of spermatogenesis was observed in COVID-19 patients, which could be partially explained as a result of an elevated immune response in testis. Additionally, autoimmune orchitis occurred in some COVID-19 patients. Further research on the reversibility of impairment and developing treatment are warranted. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

引用

页数：8

共 35 条

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