Researchers found a possible link between coronavirus and its potential effects on male fertility, according to a new study by the University of Miami.
NBC Miami reported that researchers with UM's Miller School of Medicine conducted autopsies on six men who died of coronavirus. They found that some of the men had impaired sperm function. Later on, they discovered that the novel virus invaded testis tissue.
"We also identified the presence of the virus in a man who underwent a testis biopsy for infertility but had a previous history of COVID-19," Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy said, an associate professor and the 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 study also questioned how much of the virus needs to be present in testes to be detected in semen, which can be sexually transmitted.
It's not unusual for a virus to affect a male's fertility, according to NBC Miami. "The mumps has been shown to enter the testes, cause inflammation and impair sperm production," the website wrote. Researchers noted that COVID-19 in particular "has an affinity for angiotensin-converting enzymes receptors." These receptors are in many of the body's organs, such as the kidneys, heart, lungs and testes.
Overall, more research is needed to understand COVID-19's relationship with male fertility and testes. Researchers say this is a step towards better understanding the novel coronavirus.
"It's suggested men of all ages who have COVID-19 and experience testicular pain should make an appointment to speak to a urologist," NBC Miami noted.
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