Evaluation of semen DNA integrity and related parameters with COVID-19 infection: a prospective cohort study

Virology Journal

Research

Shuibo Shi¹  Jiayao Wang¹  Jianhao Li¹  Dongshui Li¹  Hongji Hu¹  Xueming Huang² 

[1] Department of Assisted Reproduction, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwai Street 17, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China;Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwai Street 17, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China;

关键词: COVID-19;    Fertility;    Sperm parameters;    DFI;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12985-023-02192-y

 received in 2023-04-17, accepted in 2023-09-22,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn the context of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, Its impact on male reproductive function should be concerned.MethodsOur study is a prospective cohort study that recruited participants infected or uninfected with COVID-19 between December 2022 and March 2023. All laboratory tests and questionnaire data were completed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. A total of 132 participants were enrolled, with 78 COVID-19 positive patients as the positive group and 54 COVID-19 negative participants as the negative group. Semen quality was assessed by the fifth World Health Organization criteria. The general characteristics of semen samples were assessed using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis). DNA damage and the high density stainability was assessed by sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA) based on flowcytometry.ResultsThe sperm concentration, progressive motility and motility in COVID-19 negative group were significantly higher than positive group. In the following DNA damage analysis, a remarkably lower sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the COVID-19 negative group. In the positive group, unhealthy lifestyles had no significant effect on semen parameters, DNA fragmentation and nuclear compaction.ConclusionsAfter excluding the interference of unhealthy lifestyle, the COVID-19 infection can have a significant impact on the quality of semen, especially the DFI,. Therefore, it shows that COVID-19 can adversely affects male fertility, and this result provides advisory guidance for clinicians.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023