Pathogenetic features of the influence of COVID-19 on morphological changes of sperm

A study was carried out on the change in sperm fertility in 73 men included in the in vitro fertilization program with preliminary indicators of normospermia depending on infection during COVID-19 quarantine. Prior to quarantine, all study participants had a PCR test for COVID-19 negative. When a second study was carried out after quarantine, with negative results of the PCR test, Ig G was detected in 38 of 73, with negative results for IgM to COVID-19. With this in mind, the study participants were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 35 men in whom antibodies to COVID-19 were not detected in the blood during the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test. Group II consisted of 38 men in whom Ig G to COVID-19 was detected upon repeated blood tests. Considering that 4 of them had azoospermia after acute respiratory syndrome with COVID-19 complicated by respiratory failure, they were not considered. Comparative analysis of spermogram indices after quarantine showed that in group II, against the background of a general tendency towards negative sperm parameters that determine its fertility, the total number of sperm in the test material (P <0.05) significantly decreased, which, in combination with a significant decrease in progressively motile (P <0.05) and the total number of motile spermatozoa (P <0.05), both in relation to the indicators before quarantine and the results of sperm analysis in group I intact according to COVID-19, Thus, infection with COVID-19 even in an asymptomatic or subclinical study that does not require seeking medical attention, it is a pathogenetically significant factor in reducing male fertility. It is advisable to continue research in this direction. Further study of the issue is still required.

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