Review of COVID‐19 and male genital tract

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. e13914 - n/a
• Main Authors: Sheikhzadeh Hesari, Farzam, Hosseinzadeh, Seyedeh Shaghayegh, Asl Monadi Sardroud, Mohammad Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-02-2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: ACE2; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - genetics; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - physiology; Cell surface; COVID-19; COVID-19 - virology; Fertility; Genital tract; Genitalia, Male - enzymology; Genitalia, Male - virology; Humans; Immune response; Infertility, Male - virology; Inflammation; Literature reviews; Male; male genital tract; Orchitis; Orchitis - virology; Pandemics; Reproductive system; Review; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Messenger - analysis; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; SARS-CoV-2 - physiology; Semen - virology; Serine Endopeptidases - genetics; Serine Endopeptidases - physiology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; spermatogenesis; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - metabolism; Testes; Testis - enzymology; Testis - virology; TMPRSS2; COVID-19; spermatogenesis; ACE2; TMPRSS2; male genital tract
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/and.13914

COVID‐19 pandemic leads to health challenges globally, and its diverse aspects need to be uncovered. Multi‐organ injuries have been reported by describing potential SARS‐CoV‐2 entrance routes: ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Since these cell surface receptors’ expression has been disclosed within the male reproductive system, its susceptibility to being infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 has been summarised through this literature review. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 at RNA or protein level has been reported across various investigations indicates that the male genitalia potentially is vulnerable to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 within semen samples and following direct viral damage, secondary inflammatory response causing orchitis or testicular discomfort and finally the amount of viral load leading testicular damage and immune response activation are among probable underlying mechanisms. Therefore, genital examination and laboratory tests should be considered to address the male reproductive tract complications and fertility issues.