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Researchers from the University of São Paulo have uncovered concerning evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can persist in sperm samples long after patients recover from the disease. Published in the journal Andrology, their study is the first to reveal that viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in sperm up to 90 days after hospital discharge and even 110 days after the initial infection.
The study, led by Jorge Hallak and his team at FM-USP, focused on 13 male patients aged 21 to 50, all recovering from mild to severe COVID-19 at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo. While traditional PCR tests did not detect the virus in semen samples, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in spermatozoa from a significant portion of the patients. Specifically, 72.7% of those with moderate to severe COVID-19 showed viral presence in their sperm.
Moreover, the study identified a unique immune response in the sperm cells of these patients. Spermatozoa were found to produce extracellular traps (ETs) using their nuclear DNA, a mechanism typically employed by immune cells to combat pathogens. This ETosis-like response suggests that sperm play an active role in the body’s defense against viral infections like SARS-CoV-2, although it may come at a cost to sperm quality and function.
“This discovery challenges our understanding of sperm function beyond reproduction,” explained Professor Hallak. “Spermatozoa not only fertilize eggs but also contribute to the immune response against pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, potentially impacting fertility treatments such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).”
The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting a need for caution among those planning to conceive post-COVID-19 infection. Hallak recommended a “quarantine” period of at least six months after recovery before attempting natural conception or assisted reproduction, regardless of the severity of the initial infection.
“This study underscores the importance of further research into the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility,” Hallak emphasized. “It prompts urgent consideration among healthcare providers and regulators regarding the safety of reproductive techniques involving sperm manipulation.”
As the world continues to grapple with the long-term health impacts of COVID-19, studies like these provide crucial insights into the virus’s effects on human reproduction and immunity.
For further details on the study, refer to the article titled “Transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in human spermatozoa associated with an ETosis‐like response” in Andrology (2024).
