SARS-cov2 virus binds to ACE2 receptors and enter the cells to complete its replication cycle. This is considered as the main pathological mechanism of direct cell infection and damage by the virus. Therefore, cells with increased ACE2 expression are potential target of viral invasion. Among different body tissues, testis shows nearly the highest level of ACE2 mRNA and protein expression. At the level of testicular cells, four main cell types; seminiferous duct cells, spermatogonia, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, show higher rate of ACE2 mRNA expression. If the virus causes damage to these cells, the process of spermatogenesis could be affected which might pose risk to male fertility.
It may increase your sexual desire and ultimately fertility too if you are not in depression.
There is a theoretical possibility of testicular damage and subsequent infertility following COVID-19 infection. The possibility of testicular damage is caused by either direct viral invasion through binding of SARS-COV2 virus to ACE2 receptors or secondary to immunological and inflammatory response. Future studies could reveal the fact.
Multiple studies detected high ACE2 expression level in testicular cells, mainly in seminiferous duct cells, spermatogonia, Leydig cell and Sertoli cells. Based on the results of these studies, it is concluded that the testis could be a potential target for direct damage by SARS-COV2 virus.
There is no precise and safe data in this regard. On the other hand, after the lockdown, an important demographic increase is expected.
Please see the links below.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.21.20037267v2.full.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7194680/pdf/main.pdf
No proof for that yet
One study in 181 men from China found that men with COVID-19 seem to have changes in levels of some of their reproductive hormones compared to men without the virus but found no difference in testosterone levels. Two studies from China found no evidence of the virus in the semen of men who had recovered from COVID-19.
No studies so far have looked at important issues such as sperm count or quality, so there isn’t convincing evidence that COVID-19 impacts men’s fertility.
Impairment of spermatogenesis has been observed in COVID-19 patients.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30348-5/fulltext
COVID-19 potentially has negative impacts on male fertility.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201122/COVID-19-potentially-has-negative-impacts-on-male-fertility.aspx
Please also have a look at the following RG links.
Article SARS-CoV-2 and Male Infertility: Possible Multifaceted Pathology
Article Testicular Atrophy and Hypothalamic Pathology in COVID-19: P...
Article Viral pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and male reproduc...
Article Covid-19: A possible emerging impact on male fertility
Article Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 on Male Reproduction
Article Coronavirus: A Possible Cause of Reduced Male Fertility
Article The other side of COVID‐19 pandemic: Effects on male fertility
Article COVID-19 May Affect Male Fertility but is Not Sexually Trans...
Have a look on these articles:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32814369/
Article Is there an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on male fertilit...
https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20210129/covid19-reduces-fertility-in-men-study-suggests
https://rep.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rep/161/2/REP-20-0523.xml
"In men with COVID-19, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in sperm cells were significantly increased by more than 100% compared to age-matched healthy controls." https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/944847
Abnormal levels of sex hormones and declining sperm quality were observed in patients during and after recovery from COVID-19. Moreover, severe inflammation damage was detected in testes and the presence of virus in testicular tissue was reported at autopsy. https://rep.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rep/161/2/REP-20-0523.xml
The recent literature provides evidence that male gonads may be potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, ... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32814369/
Since it is affecting more men than women, it means we shall have less men who can father children.
Coronavrus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause erectile dysfunction in men.
Article Addressing male sexual and reproductive health in the wake o...
Please also go through the following RG links.
Article The impact of COVID-19 on the male reproductive tract and fe...
Article COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunct...
Arvind Singh You are correct. Sterility has been reported among men who have had a severe infection, although not many studies as of yet are ongoing for this particular issue. I am going to post a really concerning article that may change your thought process concerning the spike protein and ACE-2 receptor binding. I am writing it now. Stay tuned.
Also visit this potentially useful link for more insights.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050052121000858?via%3Dihub
Yes, some studies indicated that sperms are affected in terms of number and activity and may be infected with some infections, which affects the reproductive ability of males with Covid 19, and this situation increases with the severity of the infection, but they warned against generalizing these results, which need studies and proof.
Also have a look at this useful RG link.
Article An Update on the Relationship of SARS-CoV-2 and Male Reproduction
Dear Akm Shahidur Rahman this question certainly continues to be of broad general interest. In addition to the update suggested by Arvind Singh please also have a look at the following very recent research article:
The BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine does not impair sperm parameters
Article The BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine does not impair sperm parameters
Unfortunately the paper has not yet been posted as public full text on RG and the authors do not have RG profiles. However, the Abstract of this study already contains some useful information.
A public full text is available right here on RG for the following interesting review article:
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Fertility and Female and Male Reproductive Systems
Article The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Fertility and Female a...
Good luck with your own work and please stay safe and healthy!
SARS-CoV-2 infection could potentially affect a man’s fertility for up to 60 days.
https://academic.oup.com/aje/advance-article/doi/10.1093/aje/kwac011/6511811
Although there are reported cases of male infertility associated with COVID-19 but robust clinical trials are needed to ascertain this correlation and causation.
COVID-19 infection negatively affects the various parameters of sperm quality.
Article SARS-CoV-2 effects on sperm parameters: a meta-analysis study