Determining the reproductive health of men post-COVID-19 infection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Determining the reproductive health of men post-COVID-19 infection
IRAS ID
286958
Contact name
Channa N. Jayasena
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In December 2019, within the Wuhan region of China, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported. This virus has subsequently become a pandemic with over 3 million cases and deaths totalling over 234000 worldwide at the time of writing.
Male factor infertility results from impaired sperm function and has been reported to contribute to 50% all cases of infertility. Fertility services have been reported to cost £325M annually in the UK. Testosterone deficiency is one of the most common hormonal problems affecting men, leading to osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, obesity and depression.
Concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive health (sperm dysfunction and testosterone deficiency). A recent study has suggested that COVID-19 may enter human cells by binding to receptors (special gates on cells that recognise a specific molecule) for angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 receptors are found at very high levels in the testes. Within the testes, ACE2 is found on developing sperm, the ‘nurse cells’ that help the sperm grow (Sertoli cells), and also on Leydig cells which are needed to make the male sex hormone testosterone. In summary, this evidence suggests that there is a plausible link that COVID-19 could cause impaired sperm function and testosterone deficiency.
All fertility treatment in the UK is regulated by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The HFEA has prohibited on all non-cancer fertility treatment in the UK between April 15th and May 12th 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to rapidly screen and report whether COVID-19 has any obvious effects in causing impaired sperm function and testosterone deficiency. It must be noted that a recent study (Pan et al,2020) reported that COVID-19 is not spread by human semen and therefore, semen processing should not risk staff to COVID-19 infection.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
20/ES/0071
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion