A study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science claim that Covid-19 impacts the quality of semen based on semen analysis, generally known as a sperm count test. Researchers from AIIMS Patna, Delhi, and Andhras Mangalagari conducted the study.

The study evaluated the sperm count test of 30 men between the ages of 19 and 43 who were admitted for Covid -19 treatments at AIIMS Patna between October 2020 and April 2021. The first analysis was performed right away after the infection, and a second test was done after 2.5 months.

Even though SARS-CoV-2 was not found in the semen, the first sampling showed that the quality of the semen from these men was subpar. 12 (40%) of the 30 males who participated in the first semen sampling had poor sperm counts (less than 39 million per ejaculation). A test revealed that 3 (10%) of the males still had poor sperm counts after two and a half months.

The results of the initial semen sampling showed that 10 (or 33%) out of 30 subjects had semen volumes that were less than 1.5 ml, 26 (87%), 29 (97%), and 22 (74%) of the subjects had altered viscosity, vitality, and total motility, respectively. On second semen sampling, these metrics did improve, but, according to researchers, they did not reach the optimum threshold.

Dr. Satish P. Dipankar stated that the sperm banks and assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics should consider testing the semen of Covid-19 infected men and exclude men who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 until their semen quality is back to normal.

Dr. Gauri Agarwal, founder of the Seeds of Innocence IVF Center said that Covid-19 and its effects on reproductive function, particularly male fertility, are being evaluated globally. She emphasized screening the patients for semen quality before IVF.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/semen-quality-of-covid-patients-takes-a-hit-study/96750039)