Researchers believe COVID-19 may affect male fertility



[ad_1]

A new study from the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami has discovered the potential impacts of COVID-19 on male fertility and sexually transmitted diseases.

Researchers examined tissue from autopsies of six men who died from COVID-19 infection and found the virus was still in their testes.

They also found COVID-19 in the testes of a 28-year-old patient with the coronavirus and recovered without showing symptoms.

“We also identified the presence of the virus in a man who had a testicular biopsy for infertility but had a history of COVID-19,” said Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, associate professor and director of reproductive urology at the Miller School.

“So the patient tested negative and was asymptomatic after having COVID-19, but still showed the presence of the virus inside the testes. The discovery is new, remarkable and certainly worthy of further exploration, ”added Dr Ramasamy.

The study then looked at how much virus is needed to be present in the testes to be detected in semen and which can be transmitted sexually.

“I’m pretty sure, just like mumps, around 20-30% of men are going to have some kind of fertility affected in their future,” Dr Ramasamy said.

More research needs to be done in order to fully understand how testicular tissue responds to COVID-19, but this current study is a step forward towards a better understanding of the virus.

Dr Ramasamy recommended that men of all ages with COVID-19 and testicular pain see a urologist.

“Testicular pain associated with other symptoms could be a sign that COVID-19 has entered the testes, and if men think about fertility and / or low testosterone now or in the future, they should have their testosterone levels assessed with a blood test and semen parameters assessed with a semen analysis, ”according to Dr Ramasamy.

[ad_2]

Source link