Detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination in seminal plasma and their association to sperm parameters

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 130; pp. 161 - 165
• Main Authors: Chillon, Thilo Samson, Demircan, Kamil, Weiss, Gregor, Minich, Waldemar B., Schenk, Michael, Schomburg, Lutz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2023; The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Fertility; Humans; Male; Men's health; Reproduction; SARS-CoV-2; Semen; Short Communication; Spermatozoa; Vaccination; COVID-19; Men's health; Reproduction; Fertility
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.03.018

•Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are directly detectable in seminal plasma (SP).•SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) correlate positively between SP and serum.•Sperm parameters were unaffected by SP SARS-CoV-2 Abs.•Vaccination-induced SARS-CoV-2 Abs were not related to sperm pathology.•SARS-CoV-2 Abs in SP suggest passage across blood-testis barrier.
There is a public concern that COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) negatively affect male fertility. However, the evidence for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 Abs in seminal plasma (SP) is lacking. We examined whether Abs were detectable in SP after COVID-19 vaccination in 86 men using a direct Ab measurement and by quantification of their neutralizing activity. The results show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 Abs in SP, with a strong correlation to the serum Abs, increasing with the number of vaccinations. Furthermore, the Ab titers are correlating with the neutralization activity. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination parameters showed no association with the markers of sperm quality. In conclusion, this study indicates substantial levels of Abs in SP after COVID-19 vaccination that correlate with serum Ab titers but do not associate with sperm quality.
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