• COVID-19 alters levels of fertility-rela

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Apr 7 22:30:42 2022
    COVID-19 alters levels of fertility-related proteins in men, study
    suggests

    Date:
    April 7, 2022
    Source:
    American Chemical Society
    Summary:
    Increasing evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus can also impair
    fertility. Now, researchers have analyzed protein levels in semen
    of men who have recovered from COVID-19. The pilot study suggests
    that even mild or moderate illness could change the levels of
    proteins related to male reproductive function, the researchers say.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    Many people who recover from COVID-19 experience long-term symptoms,
    such as brain fog or heart problems. Increasing evidence suggests that
    the virus can also impair fertility. Now, researchers reporting in ACS
    Omega have analyzed protein levels in semen of men who have recovered
    from COVID-19. The pilot study suggests that even mild or moderate illness could change the levels of proteins related to male reproductive function,
    the researchers say.


    ========================================================================== Although SARS-CoV-2 mainly affects the respiratory system, the virus
    -- and the body's response to it -- also damages other tissues. Recent
    evidence indicates that COVID-19 infection can reduce male fertility, and
    the virus has been detected in male reproductive organs. Firuza Parikh
    and Rajesh Parikh at Jaslok Hospital, Sanjeeva Srivastava at the Indian Institute of Technology and colleagues wondered if COVID-19 infection
    could have long-term impacts on the male reproductive system. To find
    out, they decided to compare levels of proteins in the semen of healthy
    men and those who previously had mild or moderate cases of COVID-19.

    The researchers analyzed semen samples from 10 healthy men and 17 men who
    had recently recovered from COVID-19. None of the men, who ranged in age
    from 20 to 45, had a prior history of infertility. The team found that
    the recovered men had significantly reduced sperm count and motility, and
    fewer normally shaped sperm, than men who hadn't had COVID-19. When the researchers analyzed semen proteins using liquid chromatography-tandem
    mass spectrometry, they found 27 proteins at higher levels and 21
    proteins at lower levels in COVID-19-recovered men compared with the
    control group. Many of the proteins were involved in reproductive
    function. Two of the fertility-related proteins, semenogelin 1 and
    prosaposin, were present at less than half their levels in the semen
    of the COVID-19-recovered group than in the semen of controls. These
    findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 has direct or indirect effects on
    male reproductive health that linger after recovery, the researchers
    say. The work might also reveal insights into the pathophysiology of
    human reproduction in recovered men, they add.

    However, they note that larger studies should be done to confirm these findings, and a control group of men who recently recovered from other
    flu-like illnesses should be included to ensure that the findings are
    specific for COVID-19.

    The authors acknowledge funding from Jaslok Hospital.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Chemical_Society. Note:
    Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Susmita Ghosh, Swapneil Parikh, Mehar Un Nissa, Arup Acharjee,
    Avinash
    Singh, Dhruv Patwa, Prashant Makwana, Arundhati Athalye, Abhilash
    Barpanda, Malini Laloraya, Sanjeeva Srivastava, Firuza Parikh. Semen
    Proteomics of COVID-19 Convalescent Men Reveals Disruption of Key
    Biological Pathways Relevant to Male Reproductive Function. ACS
    Omega, 2022; 7 (10): 8601 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06551 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220407141845.htm

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